Garda commissioner would 'absolutely' support outright e-scooter ban

The garda commissioner has said he would support an outright e-scooter ban

E-scooters have been used to “facilitate localised drug dealing” in communities across Ireland, the Garda Commissioner has said.

Justin Kelly said e-scooter riders are using them for drug dealing and for drug-debt intimidation, indicating he would support a ban on their use.

“I think drug dealing, without a doubt, they are being used, particularly in our urban centres, to facilitate localised drug dealing in our communities,” Mr Kelly told the Oireachtas Transport Committee.

Mr Kelly said people can see drug dealing happening on e-scooters in communities, particularly in areas like Dublin city.

“We obviously try and enforce... and prevent that, but they're really difficult for us to deal with, as you can imagine, particularly around parks, laneways, places like this. It's very easy for them to evade An Garda Síochána,” Mr Kelly said.

The Garda Commissioner said two gardaí were injured while in pursuit of drug dealers on e-scooters.

There is "so much bad behaviour" with e-scooter riders, he said.

Junior transport minister Sean Canney said that, like Taoiseach Micheál Martin, he was also leaning towards an outright ban of e-scooters.

However, Government sources have warned that there are concerns about what a potential ban would mean for people using the scooters legally.

While Mr Canney has called for an options paper on e-scooter regulation ahead of a meeting of leaders next week, it is expected that a decision may not be imminent, as advice may be needed from the Attorney General.

Justin Kelly said two gardaí were injured while in pursuit of drug dealers on e-scooters. File picture

Speaking on Newstalk’s Claire Byrne Show, Mr Canney said the Government was “looking at all options” for e-scooters, including a total ban.

He said the Department of Transport is “scoping” options to see what would be possible.

Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has also requested a report from Children's Health Ireland (CHI) on injuries being sustained by children using e-scooters.

“All of that will be taken into account in our deliberations,” Mr Canney said.

“[A complete ban] is something I am seriously considering on the basis of what I have seen so far. But the options paper is being prepared. We will sit down, and we will look at it.”

Mr Canney also said that any rules that are brought in need to be enforceable by gardaí.

The Irish Examiner understands that the Department of Transport has been tasked with examining how other countries have tackled e-scooter usage.

Options on the table include an outright ban, registration and licensing, and requiring them to have tax and insurance.

There are also questions about the ability of gardaí to chase e-scooters, with one Government source saying that scramblers are still being driven on public roads, despite a ban being introduced earlier this year.

Spain has recently introduced a registration system, and it is expected to take a year to see how this has worked.

There are also questions about what would happen to people who are legally using e-scooters, as one Government source said that is a concern people could end up challenging a potential ban in the courts.

The Irish Examiner understands that the deputy chief medical officer, Ellen Crushell, has asked CHI to compile a report on injuries sustained by children on e-scooters by the end of July, or as early as all information can be provided.

It is expected to be mid-August before Ms Crushell’s report, and the potential recommendations, will be provided to Ms Carroll MacNeill.