COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, January 28, 2019

QUESTION NO. 3

QUESTION: Councillor M. Duff

"To ask the Chief Executive to make a report to this Area Committee, detailing what efforts he is making, besides the County wide Task Force, to remove the scourge of Scramblers and Quads from our public areas. What efforts are made to find the identities of the owners of these scramblers and quads and will he detail what actions he has taken against the owners and if he has presented a demand for payment from these owners for the repairs and reinstatement of the public greens, damaged by illegal usage?"

REPLY:

"On-going problems associated with scramblers and quads in some parts of the county is causing distress to residents, sporting clubs and the Council as their quality of life is being impacted negatively through extreme damage to community open spaces and playing facilities. 

The Council is actively working with An Garda Síochána, community representatives and residents of various housing estates in relation to this issue as well as with other relevant agencies towards a resolution of the misuse of scramblers/quads which is being experienced across the Dublin region.  One of the main issues which has arisen at meetings of the task force is that the Gardai do not currently have the power to pursue these vehicles, to stop them, to impound them, to pursue them to other locations and to question the owners and drivers about their movements.  These are some of the issues that need to be addressed by new legislation.  Equally the Council has been unable to date to identify the drivers of these vehicles and to hold them responsible for their actions and therefore the Council is not in a position to demand payment from anyone for the reinstatement of parks and open spaces where the culprit cannot be identified.  

In addition to the establishment of a High Level Task Force with representation from the Dublin local authorities, the Gardai, Dept of Justice & Equality and Motorcross, the Council is examining other ways of preventing scramblers access open space. This includes reducing access points to open spaces, fencing areas and erecting barriers."