SIMON HARRIS HAS said the government plans to take “swift” action to ban e-scooters completely.

The Tánaiste said he had been keeping an “open mind” about whether an outright ban on the vehicles would be doable, but the issue is now at “tipping point”.

A new report by Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) revealed that there has been a 50% annual increase in the number of children and young people being admitted to hospital with traumatic brain injuries because of e-scooter crashes.

Responding to Sinn Féin leader Mary lou McDonald in the Dáil today, Harris said the government would provide a “swift set of proposals” on what’s next for e-scooters.

The law banning scramblers specifically from all public places, Grace’s Law, came into effect in April.

It was named after Grace Lynch, a teenage girl who was killed when she was struck by a scrambler in Finglas last January. 

The Taoiseach already said he is “leaning towards” imposing a complete ban.

“People are fed up with it and people have had enough of this,” Micheál Martin said on Tuesday.

Next week, government leaders will meet with garda commissioner Justin Kelly to discuss what restrictions should be imposed on the use of e-scooters. Kelly supports a ban.

He said he had recently seen two gardaí who were injured on duty, one seriously, while intercepting drug dealing on e-scooters.

Harris had previously indicated that getting rid of e-scooters entirely may not be appropriate.

“It is a legitimate form of transport for some people,” he said.

He suggested following other European countries in implementing a form of registration for e-scooters, so they can be tracked.

“I’m not sure even of the legality of a ban. I’m not sure. It’s the honest answer, ” he said.

“But I am absolutely certain that the current situation can’t continue.”