COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 11, 2009

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor T. McDermott

That the Manager initiate the process to make Bye Laws pursuant to Section 199 of the Local Government Act 2001, to control the use of off-road motor vehicles (including particularly scrambler motorcycles, mini-mopeds and motorised quads etc.) in the Dublin Mountain Zone within South Dublin, with particular reference to those parts that are either subject to designations under the EU Habitats directive, the Wildlife Acts, or are in use wholly or in part for recreational or amenity purposes such as walking and hiking trails, horse riding trails, forestry areas and unenclosed mountain commonage, and any other amenity or recreational area of the county that the Manager may consider appropriate, and that the process be undertaken as a matter of urgency, due to the risk to public safety, the loss of amenity value due to noise, pollution, erosion etc., and serious ecological damage to protected and designated areas or wildlife from the current widespread unregulated use of off-road motor vehicles in sensitive upland areas of South Dublin, and that in conjunction with the making of such Bye Laws the Manager shall support any appropriate initiative of the Dublin Mountains Partnership in regard to the provision of sustainable facilities for the regulated or supervised use of off-road motor vehicles (including particularly scrambler motorcycles, mini-mopeds and motorised quads etc.) and the Manager shall encourage and assist the Dublin Mountains Partnership in bringing forward proposals in this regard at the earliest opportunity.

REPORT:

It is recognised that at present, the unregulated, and frequently widespread use of off-road motor vehicles, specifically scrambler motorcycles, mini-mopeds and motorised quads, does represent a potential hazard to public safety, and also gives rise to the risk of damage to designated or protected areas within the county and does detract from the amenity value and recreational potential of several parts of the county.   Bye Laws to deal with this issue have been introduced in other parts of the country with mixed results.   Accordingly, it is considered appropriate, that if the motion is passed and the Members are agreeable, a process of consultation be initiated with a wide range of stakeholders, and in conjunction with such consultation, that the scope and experience of the operation of such Bye Laws in other parts of the country be examined.   It would also be appropriate that the Council liaise with others, specifically the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Dublin Mountain Partnership, on the range and scope of any Bye Laws being considered as a prelude to drafting Bye Laws or designating the area of the county that they may apply to.   It will also be necessary in considering Bye Laws as a measure to restrict or control the use of certain off-road motor vehicles in the county, to examine the potential for the provision of a properly regulated facility in the county, or within the wider sub-region, for what is considered by some to be a legitimate recreational activity.   It is an objective of the Strategic Plan of the Dublin Mountain Partnership to identify a suitable location for the displacement of off-road vehicle use from the main recreational parts of the upland areas, and to assist in the provision of an appropriate facility.   Accordingly, the Dublin Mountain Partnership will be requested to pursue their objectives in this area as a matter of priority.