Transport Minister Shane Ross announced the consultation after receiving a report from the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which broadly supports legalising the use of such vehicles on public roads subject to certain criteria.

Under current road traffic legislation, the use of these mechanically propelled vehicles is illegal on public roads/in public places.

The consultation will commence on Sunday 1 September and will run for two months, ending on 1 November 2019.

Mr Ross said: “Ireland is not unique in facing up to the issue of either continuing to ban or regularising the growing presence of powered personal transporters and particularly e-scooters. Administrations across Europe are facing similar challenges. The report commissioned by the RSA outlines how there is no universal consensus in other countries in how to approach this issue.

“I believe this eight-week consultation period will allow us to hear from a wide variety of stakeholders, interest groups, safety organisations and members of the public which will better inform us as to how to address this changing commuter and transport landscape.”