10. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the impact of the seizure of scrambler bikes on community safety in Dublin, since April 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49770/26]

Firstly I want to offer my sympathies to those seriously injured in incidents involving scramblers and e-scooters in recent weeks. In one such incident a teenage boy was injured in a hit-and-run involving a scrambler in north Dublin. I wish him a speedy recovery and appeal to any potential witnesses, or those who may have video footage of the incident, to support Gardaí with their enquiries.

On 1 April, the Road Traffic (Control of Certain Vehicles) Regulations 2026, known as Grace's Law, were signed into law by Darragh O'Brien TD, the Minister for Transport. These regulations implement an explicit ban on scrambler use in any public place, to enhance community safety.

The regulations prohibit the use of an off-road motorcycle, such as a scrambler or a quadbike, in any place, except on private land. They impose a requirement of consent where restricted vehicles are used on private land, and will make enforcement easier.

The mere use of scramblers is now explicitly an offence, assisting An Garda Síochána operationally by ensuring that members no longer have to form a reasonable belief about dangerous use of the vehicle.

Gardaí also have additional, and significant, legislative powers to combat the antisocial and dangerous misuse of scramblers, quad bikes, e-scooters and other such vehicles including under the Road Traffic Act 1961, the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, and the Criminal Law Act 1997 and the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023.

I am assured that An Garda Síochána continues to adopt a proactive approach in addressing the illegal use of scramblers, quads, e-bikes and e-scooters.

I informed by Garda authorities of a substantial increase in the seizure of these types of vehicles during the first quarter of 2026 when measured against the full year 2025.

Garda authorities report 754 incidents in which an e-scooter has been seized in the first quarter of this year, compared to a full year figure of 931 for 2025.

In respect of e-bikes, the 140 seizures recorded in Quarter 1 is already over half the 237 seized in the whole of 2025.

Similarly, scrambler and quad bike seizures, at 94 and 17 incidents respectively for the first quarter of this year, are tracking well ahead of 2025 full-year figures of 159 and 40.

Further to the regulations that introduced a ban on the use of scramblers in public places, it should be noted that the ban has only been in effect since the beginning April and as such the data on arrests, prosecutions and convictions made under this legislation are not yet available.

Tackling dangerous driver behaviours and promoting compliance with road traffic laws will continue to be addressed through road safety education and public awareness campaigns and the enforcement of road traffic laws.