642. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the reasons for the delay in increasing the minimum legal age for the use of an e-scooter in a public place from 16 to 18 years-of-age; and the anticipated date on which the increased age limit will now come into force. [64074/26]

As it is proposed to increase the minimum age for an e-scooter user will increase from 16 to 18 years, it has been necessary to seek clearance from the EU Commission through the EU TRIS (Technical Regulation Information System) process which involved a standstill period of up to 12 weeks. Following acceptance on 3 September of a case for urgency by the EU Commission, this measure no longer needs to proceed through the EU TRIS process.

The Department of Transport can now proceed with the regulations to increase the minimum age without any need for a standstill process. It is expected that these regulations will be signed into law in late September or early October.