Transport Minister Shane Ross has come under pressure to introduce electric scooter legislation.

Fine Gael TD, Deputy Noel Rock has urged the Minister to stop "dragging his heels" on the issue.

The Dublin North West representative said: "The popularity of e-scooters has increased significantly, and I know more people would take up this mode of transport if they had clarity about the rules and regulations surrounding them.

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"E-scooters have the capacity to help to ease congestion in Dublin, and in other cities and towns in Ireland, but they also have a positive effect on our environment, something which is important to all of us.

"I have also met with people who are keen to operate a sharing scheme, similar to the Dublin Bikes scheme, for e-scooters. This works well in other countries as part of the options available to commuters and to tourists.

"A public consultation on this issue is due to finish in the coming weeks and it is imperative that the Minister does not delay further.

"I understand that legislation on this area must be carefully considered, and that there is no universal approach identified abroad, but just because an area is complex does not mean that we should simply put it on the long finger," Deputy Rock concluded.

(CM/JG)