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Retailers have been The number of
warned they must tell people Tánaiste Says Ireland people in emergency IRISH
buying e-scooters that they accommodation in Ireland
are not legal on public roads. Will Back Brexit rose to 10,275 in July.
Transport Minister Shane That number is an EXAMINER
Ross says scooters, segways, increase of 103 on the pre-
hoverboards and any other Extention If UK Makes vious month, according to |
powered personal trans- the latest figures from the
porters are only legal to use Department of Housing.
3,778 children were
on private property. “Persuasive Case” homeless over the course of Setember
A consultation period is July, as well as 6,497
underway on how best to adults. 4th,
manage the growing popu- Housing Minister
larity of e-scooters - it will run Eoghan Murphy said the 2019
until November 1. government is doing
Minister Ross moved to everything it can to get
remind retailers all mechani- people out of homeless-
cally propelled vehicles must ness, but it remains a huge
have tax and insurance by challenge.
lawandthedrivermustholda Minister Murphy has
valid licence. said that people on the
“The use of these mechani- housing list or homeless
cally propelled vehicles is ille- people will not be “forced”
gal on public roads/in public to move elsewhere.
If a family wants to
places,” he clarified. move outside the area of
“Under section 3 of the
Road Traffic Act 1961, their choice they will be
facilitated he told RTÉ
eScooters and similar vehicles radio’s News at One.
are defined as mechanically ánaiste Simon Coveney has threaten to call a general elec- them.” “It’s about providing an
propeled vehicles. As such, saidthecountrywouldback tion. His comments come as the option. No one is going to
before they can be used on Tan extension to Article 50 if Mr Coveney said the EU Government launched a be forced to move else-
public roads/in public places theBritishprimeministercanmake cannot do a deal with Mr national campaign urging busi- where.”
theymustbecoveredbyinsur- a persuasive case for how it can be Johnson’s Government unless it nesses to review how prepared However, the Minister
ance, have motor tax and the usedtogetaBrexitdeal. puts forward Brexit backstop they are for the UK leaving the did acknowledge that the
Mr Coveney said Ireland
driver appropriately licenced would support a request from alternatives. EU. The Government has Government is looking for
He said: “We have a deal as
to operate them the British Government to far as we’re concerned, it’s warned businesses that the risk more balanced regional
“Due to the nature of these extend the Brexit deadline, cur- called the Withdrawal of a no-deal exit is growing, growth.
vehicles, under existing road rently October 31, if it “made Agreement, and we spent two Sectors which they said have The important thing was
traffic law they are only suit- sense”. and a half years negotiating it. low levels of Brexit prepared- for people in emergency
able for use on private prop- Speaking at an event to get “It solves some very com- ness include smaller businesses accommodation to get the
erty.” C Irish businesses ready for Brexit, plex problems on this island that may not realize they are best care and security so
they would not be “in the
Mr Coveney said: “If there is an that aren’t just about trade. trading with the UK, construc- same trouble a year down
The Department of Health extension looked for then I They’re also about identity, tion businesses, manufacturing the line.”
is warning a no-deal Brexit think whichever prime minister about peace and about relation- companies, agrifood businesses, The focus has to be on
couldhaveasevereimpacton asks for that will need to make a ships. retail – particularly independent keeping people in their
the health service. persuasive case as to how that “The backstop gives reassur- shops – and hauliers. own community, he added.
It has told the health watch- extension can be used to get a ance, albeit on a temporary The Government appealed CEO of housing charity
dog to be prepared for any deal. basis, on those issues because it for businesses to understand the Depaul, David Carroll said
adverse impacts. “Ireland’s position has provides guarantees. new rules for UK importing and that the increase in people
On July 26, Jim Breslin, the always been if it makes sense to “If you are advocating, as exporting, to review their sup- in emergency accommo-
secretary-general of the extend to try to get a deal, well Boris Johnson has done, that we ply chain and UK market strate- dation is worrying for both
Department of Health, wrote then we would support that need to remove the backstop gy and be aware of any changes the housing market and for
the
Withdrawal
from
course of action.
to transport and logistics.
to Phelim Quinn, the chief “What we need to do is con- Agreement, well then the obli- Firms have also been asked young children starting a
executive of Hiqa. trol what we understand, and gation is on you to make a con- to review their certification, new school term.
In a letter released under what we control here in Ireland, vincing case that you have an regulation and licensing, con- “The increase in the
the Freedom of Information and that is preparing for the alternative that does the same tracts and data management numbers experiencing
Act, he urged the watchdog to worst but continuing to think job. and ensure businesses are maxi- homelessness reflects the
continue to take all necessary about how we can work with a “Otherwise, you expose a mizing government Brexit pro- volatility still being felt with-
in housing and rental sec-
actions to ensure that areas of British government regardless whole series of problems with- grams and supports. tors.”
the health sector under its of who leads it between now out answers and that’s why “Manage your cash flow, “As we speak there are
remit are prepared for Brexit. and the end of October.” we’ve said that this process currency and make sure your 3,778 children homeless,
Mr Breslin said a no-deal MPs voted on Tuesday to can’t make any progress unless banking is in order, protect and some of which are travel-
Brexit is a “very real possibili- seize control of the order paper and until the British inform your staff and know ling from hotels and B&Bs
ty” and contingency planning at Westminster, raising the like- Government comes forward more about the impact to your to start a new school
must continue. C lihood of a delay to Brexit and with actual proposals that make sector,” businesses were told at term.” C
prompting PM Boris Johnson to sense so that we can interrogate the event in Dublin. C

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