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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Scrambler vehicle deaths

Summary

Deputies Gannon and Ellis raise the death of Grace Lynch and the wider scourge of illegal scramblers in communities. The Taoiseach says existing legislation allows bans on such vehicles, promises stronger enforcement and says he will consider further legislation if needed.

I return to the scourge of scramblers. Despite the assurance the Taoiseach gave earlier, the fact of the matter is it should not have taken as long as it has taken to get to this point. The legislation passed in 2023 to give effect to the control of scramblers and enforcement had provision for a prohibition on the use of scramblers in urban communities. Last night, I watched a person of extraordinary courage, Siobhán Lynch, 24 hours after the death of her daughter, stand in front of her community and family and say she would place her own devastation alongside her courage to campaign to end the scourge of scramblers in our communities. She will need support. Does the Taoiseach have a timeline for enacting a prohibition on the use and, I would argue, the sale of scramblers in our areas?

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I thank the Deputy for raising the issue, which, as he knows, was raised earlier.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

Sorry.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

It does not matter. This is questions on policy and legislation.

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I fully accept what Deputy Gannon said in relation to the courage, actions and compassion of Siobhán Lynch in terms of looking at the wider situation and making sure this will never happen again, and how devastating the loss of Grace has been for her mother, father and entire family. It is utterly devastating. The legislation passed in 2023 allows for the banning of such vehicles on public roads. That is something that will be done.

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