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Minister publishes bill that would allow e-scooters on Irish roads

Minister publishes bill that would allow e-scooters on Irish roads

E-scooters will give great independence and mobility to many people in the South East.

That's the view of Carlow County Council's Road Safety Officer.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has published a bill which would legalise the use of e-scooters on Irish roads.

Speaking to Beat News, John McDarby says there's nothing wrong with the vehicle, if its used right:

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"I'm in the camp that says e-scooters are great. I don't have one but I can see the value of these, that it adds mobility and independence.

There's nothing wrong with the e-scooter if we can get the user behaving really, really well. They're going to be a great addition to people's transport."

Many people have criticised the bill published by Minister Ryan.

Some want to see e-scooter users hold a license while others say tax and insurance should be issued the same as other vehicles.

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John McDarby does acknowledge that it will be difficult to regulate the vehicle;

"It's going to be very difficult to try and license that, to register that, to talk about insurance or to talk about NCT's or anything that we talk about for cars with this type of vehicle.

But, I do think we will be able to talk about where they're used and the speed they're used at."

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