Vol. 493 No. 3
311 Ms Hanafin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the guidelines, if any, issued by his Department to car hire companies in regard to road safety; the instructions, if any, issued to foreign drivers arriving off the ferries; the plans, if any, there are to issue an identity sticker for tourist drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15610/98]
The National Safety Council has produced an information leaflet on traffic rules for tourists which is distributed, free of charge, to the major car hire companies and car hire offices, including all of the firms operating from the airports and ferry terminals, to Bord Fáilte and to local authorities. The leaflet is in English, French and German and provides information on the rules of the road in Ireland, including clear advice that all traffic must drive on the left. The council has also developed a multilingual dashboard sticker which reminds tourists to drive on the left and to wear a seat belt. This sticker is distributed to car hire companies.
A multi-lingual road traffic sign to warn drivers of the requirement to drive on the left-hand side of the road was introduced in 1996. The sign is designed for use, in particular, at exits from ports and airports and in areas of high tourist amenity. Detailed specifications for the sign are set out in a comprehensive traffic signs manual, published by my Department in December, 1996, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. The provision of these signs is a matter for road authorities.
