Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety Seán Canney today introduced new regulations to raise the age limit for e-scooter users from 16 to 18 years of age. This change will come into effect from 2nd October 2026.
Regulations to double the fees for detention and storage of seized e-scooters have also been signed. This means that fees will rise to €80 for detention and the first day of storage and €30 for each additional day of storage. This will also take effect from 2nd October. 
These regulations follow recent changes making helmets and high-visibility clothing mandatory for e-scooter users since 4th September 2026.

Minister O’Brien said:
“Increasing the minimum age for e-scooter use to 18 is a necessary and proportionate road safety measure. We have seen a concerning number of serious injuries and fatalities involving young e-scooter users, and our regulations need to address this. Together with the recent introduction of mandatory helmets and high-visibility clothing, these changes send a clear message that e-scooters must be used responsibly and safely.”  

Minister Canney said:
“I am happy to have signed these regulations today. They are about protecting lives and preventing serious injuries. Raising the minimum age for e-scooter users to 18, alongside mandatory helmets and high-visibility clothing, will help to improve safety and encourage responsible behaviour on our roads.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport Jerry Buttimer said:
“Raising the minimum age for e-scooter use to 18, alongside the introduction of mandatory helmets and high-visibility clothing, is a sensible measure that will help protect road users and promote responsible use. Our focus is on ensuring that active and sustainable travel options can continue to grow in a way that is safe for everyone, whether in urban centres or rural communities.”

Following legal advice from the Attorney General’s Office, the proposed age limit increase was notified to the European Commission through the EU TRIS (Technical Regulation Information System) process. This process usually involves a 12-week standstill. However, Ireland sought the application of an expedited ‘Urgency Procedure’, citing significant road safety concerns and the serious injuries associated with underage use of e-scooters. The Commission accepted Ireland’s case and agreed that the Urgency Procedure was justified. As a result, the standard 12-week TRIS standstill period no longer applied, enabling Ministers to introduce regulations at this stage.

Government approved a series of road safety measures for e-scooters in July 2026. Further measures will be introduced in the coming weeks, as the necessary legislative, administrative and technical changes are confirmed:

• Charges for Fixed Charge Notices will be increased to €100 for e-scooter offences.
• A Fixed Charge Notice offence for not wearing a helmet or high-visibility clothing while using an e-scooter will be introduced at the new rate of €100.

Further work is also being progressed on the registration of e-scooters.

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien and Minister Timmy Dooley, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Marine, will represent Ireland and the Council of the EU this week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High Level Week is a key milestone on the road to COP31, where Ireland will lead the EU delegation in discussions to uphold climate multilateralism and the achievement of the Paris Agreement goals.
As part of its EU Presidency, Ireland will provide strong and coordinated leadership for the EU at COP31. As part of these efforts Minister O‘Brien will convene a meeting of EU Ministers in New York, to discuss EU strategy on the road to Antalya. Ensuring COP31 makes tangible progress on the implementation of the Paris Agreement and contributes to  accelerating the clean energy transition are key priorities for this year.
Minister O’Brien said:
“ I welcome the opportunity to work with EU Ministers and global representatives at UNGA to help renew momentum on climate action - accelerating the transition to clean energy through renewables, supporting climate mitigation efforts, delivering on much needed adaptation, channelling climate finance to the most vulnerable and fostering international collaboration.
“The current energy crisis we are experiencing clearly demonstrates the importance of the clean energy transition for all countries. This isn’t simply about emissions – though this is of course a clear priority – it’s about ensuring energy security, energy sovereignty and energy affordability.

“At a time of geopolitical uncertainty and continuing pressure on the multilateral system, effective international climate cooperation is more important than ever. Ní neart go cur le Chéile’ - there is strength in unity.”
Minister O’Brien will attend several bilateral meetings with other UN member states as well as business and civil society. Minister O’Brien will then travel to Washington for a series of engagements, including with members of the House of Representatives, and other stakeholders.
Minister Dooley will represent Irish interests across a range of policy areas at UNGA, including ocean observation and sea level rise. Key areas of focus are pledging Irish support for the European Commission led Ocean Eye event, which is being hosted by President von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and giving Ireland’s National Statements on Sea Level Rise and on Pandemic Preparedness. The Minister will also represent Ireland at the United Nations’ Secretary General’s High-Level Summit on Climate Change and Just Transition and at the Sixth Summit of the International Crimea Platform, at which Ukrainian President Zelensky will also be present. Further events at which the Minister will be present are focused on the marine environment and the transition away from fossil fuels.
Commenting on Ireland’s pledge to support the Ocean Eye initiative, Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment Timmy Dooley said:
“Ireland recognises that sustained, coordinated and accessible ocean observations are fundamental to advancing scientific knowledge, to better understanding our oceans and to supporting many national, European and international maritime policy objectives. We look forward to being part of an alliance that will enhance global ocean knowledge, strengthen and integrate ocean observing capabilities and build partnerships across research institutions, industry, and international observing networks.”

• MetroLink to seek market tender bids for construction and operation
• Enabling works to start on the ground from early next year
• MetroLink to boost transport connectivity across Dublin area and beyond
• MetroLink unlocks major new housing developments 

 
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has today received approval from Cabinet to move MetroLink to the detailed tender stage, where market bids will be sought and partners selected to build and operate MetroLink. This is a major milestone for MetroLink. Significant enabling works are to start on site from early next year, followed by heavy tunnelling and station construction. 
MetroLink will be the largest single project in Ireland since the construction of the Ardnacrusha hydro power plant in the 1920s, and will involve thousands of workers to deliver strategic benefits for generations to come. As an electric, driverless and mostly underground high-capacity railway, MetroLink will be the first of its kind on the island. MetroLink will not only serve hundreds of thousands of people along the route in north Dublin, it will integrate with heavy rail, DART, Luas and bus services, the M1 motorway, and Dublin Airport - thereby transforming connectivity across a wide region. 
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: 
“Today’s approval reflects the Government’s commitment to investing in new infrastructure. MetroLink will help make our capital city a better, more sustainable place in which to live, travel, socialise and work. I am delighted that the Government has moved MetroLink into the detailed procurement phase for multi-billion-euro construction and operation contracts, and we will continue to support it into construction.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris said:
“Today’s decision is an important milestone in the delivery of a major public transport project that will connect our capital city to national transport networks and strengthen our economy as well as our competitiveness as a country.
"By providing a fast, frequent, and reliable public transport service, MetroLink will improve access to education and health facilities, to jobs, and to sports clubs, parks, and playgrounds. Projects like this are central to building the country our growing population now requires by helping to connect communities and unlock new housing."
Minister O’Brien said: 
 “I welcome today’s important step forward for MetroLink, a vital transport project that will help reduce traffic congestion, improve access to Dublin Airport and unlock much-needed new housing development at scale. 
“MetroLink will support the delivery of approximately 77,000 new homes along its route and, through its integration with other public transport services, up to 200,000 new homes across the Greater Dublin Area. 
“This is a game-changer for Dublin and the wider region as we work to deliver more homes for a growing population. MetroLink will not only transform connectivity and access but also strengthen our economic competitiveness, support sustainable growth and unlock the development potential of communities across the Greater Dublin Area.
“MetroLink also supports decarbonisation by providing a reliable, low-carbon alternative to private car travel, helping to reduce road traffic, transport-related emissions and overall carbon footprints across the region.”
Minister of State at the Department of Transport Seán Canney said: 
“This approval is a positive decision for our whole transport portfolio. Interchanges at Glasnevin and Tara Street, along with the Park and Ride at Estuary, will make MetroLink and its range of destinations easily accessible to passengers transferring from heavy rail services or cars.  The decision is also a strong indication to the market that this Government is serious about transforming our plans into reality, which will have a positive impact on the rest of our ambitious portfolio of transport projects.” 
The key milestone today follows a joint review by the Department of Transport and National Transport Authority (NTA) of a Detailed Business Case (DBC) under Approval Gate 2 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. The estimated cost for MetroLink (including contingency and inflation, excluding VAT) outlined in the DBC ranges from €14.44 to €17.49 billion, with a central estimate of €15.75 billion. The assessed benefits from MetroLink have been shown to exceed the costs, including from faster journey times and reduced traffic congestion. Firm cost ranges for MetroLink will only be known after the market bids are received, next year.
Key features of Metrolink include:

• 19 km of new metro railway, mostly underground, connecting Estuary/Swords to Charlemont, with stations serving key destinations including Dublin Airport, Ballymun, Glasnevin, Dublin City University, the Mater and Rotunda Hospitals, and Dublin city centre;
• High-frequency service with 64 metre trains operating every 3 minutes at peak in each direction on opening, with 16 accessible and high-quality stations on the route;
• Designed to move up to 20,000 passengers per direction/hour, over double the carrying capacity of the current Luas Green Line;
• Given its high capacity and direct integration into public transport services such as DART and Luas, MetroLink delivers a magnifying effect for transport connectivity across Dublin and beyond; 
• Provides wide strategic and societal benefits such as better accessibility for citizens to jobs and services, increased environmental sustainability, and facilitation of new housing developments of significant scale across the Greater Dublin Area.

The Government will build on the momentum to date to bring MetroLink into construction, working with the transport agencies to provide a world-class piece of new infrastructure for the country. 
For more information on MetroLink visit www.metrolink.ie. 
 

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety Seán Canney today introduced new regulations to make helmets and high-visibility clothing mandatory for e-scooter users. This is a key road safety measure in light of the increasing number of serious injuries and fatalities associated with e-scooter usage.  This change will come into effect on Friday 4th September 2026.
Government approved a series of road safety measures for e-scooters in July 2026. Further measures will be introduced in the coming weeks, as the necessary legislative, administrative and technical changes are confirmed:

• Fees for detention and storage of seized e-scooters will be doubled, rising to €80 for detention and the first day of storage and €30 for each additional day or storage. This will take effect from 2nd October. 
• The minimum age for an e-scooter user will be increased from 16 to 18 years. Following legal advice from the Attorney General’s office, this measure has been submitted to the EU Commission as part of the EU TRIS (Technical Regulation Information System) process. This process takes up to 12 weeks, and it is intended that these regulations will be introduced before the end of the year.
• Charges for Fixed Charge Notices will be increased to €100 for e-scooter offences. Regulations for this change will be brought forward in the coming weeks.
• A Fixed Charge Notice offence for not wearing a helmet or high-visibility clothing while using an e-scooter will be introduced at same time at the new rate of €100.

    
Minister O’Brien said: 
“Road safety is a priority for me, my Department and for this Government. We are committed to taking decisive action to make roads safer for all who use them.  The growing use of e-scooters has brought new transport opportunities, but it has also been accompanied by a concerning rise in collisions, serious injuries and tragic fatalities involving riders, pedestrians and other road users.
“The regulations signed today, along with others that will take effect in the coming weeks,  will help create a safer environment for all road users.”
 
Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Seán Canney, said: 
“I am pleased to have signed these regulations today. Like many of us, I am very concerned about the potential for tragedy when e-scooters are not used safely.  I am pleased that we have moved quickly and effectively to introduce these regulations, which provide a proportionate regulatory framework for use of e-scooters. 
“They will strengthen safety standards and support effective enforcement, while ensuring that the benefits of e-scooters can be realised without compromising public safety.”

Proposals regarding registration, insurance and driving licence requirements for e-scooters remain under consideration. The Department of Health will shortly bring forward their report on the public health implications of e-scooters and this will be an important factor in Government decisions on next steps. Proposals will be brought before Cabinet in due course.