Vol. 197 No. 3
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will take steps to enforce a speed limit on all motorists, lorry drivers and motor cyclists throughout the country, as there have been many fatal accidents within the past four or five months resulting in the death of many innocent people.
51.
asked the Minister for Local Government if in view of the number of accidents due to excessive speeding he will consider the introduction of a speed limit in cities and towns and at the approaches to cities and towns from main roads.
52.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has completed his consideration of the danger to children in the Pigeon House Road area of Dublin created by fast road traffic; and if he intends to recommend that a speed limit be introduced for their protection.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 51 and 52 together.
I intend that Part IV of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, which deals with speed limits, will be brought into operation as soon as possible. It is unlikely, however, that the necessary administrative arrangements will be completed in time to enable the built-up area speed limit to come into effect before 1st April next. These arrangements include a lengthy scheduling of specific roads, now practically complete, and the provision of many signposts, a work which cannot be undertaken until the results of the road scheduling are embodied in regulations.
Certain investigations had to be made by my Department before draft regulations for ordinary speed limits as distinct from the built-up area speed limit could be prepared. These are practically finished and I hope to publish my proposals in this matter shortly.
