Sinn Féin's Mark Ward TD has urged the government to fund specialist pursuit training and introduce legal protections for Gardaí to clamp down on illegal scrambler use.

The party's community safety spokesperson said the lack of training is undermining enforcement and cited statements from the Garda Representative Association, as well as comments by the Garda Commissioner at committee, indicating no members are currently trained and that a rollout will not begin until next year after the EU presidency.

Teachta Ward said: "Scramblers are a scourge on our communities. Gardaí need protections to be able to pursue scrambler users who are breaking the law.

"Grace's Law was introduced to ban their use in any public spaces, including roads and public parks.

"This law was introduced following the tragic death of Grace Lynch, a 16-year-old girl who was knocked down and killed by a scrambler user. "Nothing has changed in our communities since this law was brought in, scramblers are still being used to plague our areas. Gardaí are not able to pursue drivers, as they have not had the proper training for safe pursuits.

"The GRA have said that not one of their members has the appropriate training to pursue scramblers, something that the Garda Commissioner has confirmed at the Committee today. That is shocking.

"The Garda Commissioner has said that training will not be rolled out until next year, after the EU presidency is finished. That is not good enough.

"The GRA has also called for legislative protections to be put in place for Gardaí who engage in pursuits of illegal scrambler drivers.

"The government must give this serious consideration to make Grace's Law as effective as possible.

"If we are to make our communities safe from the scourge of scramblers, everything must be done to make this legislation effective."

Ward said urgent investment and safeguards are needed to ensure Grace's Law delivers real results on the ground and to give Gardaí the tools and protections required to act safely and effectively.