asked the Minister for Local Government if he proposes to direct local authorities to provide adequate signposting on roads throughout the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Signposting.
21.
The responsibility for providing signs in accordance with the regulations rests with the local road authority acting with the consent or at the request of the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána.
I am reviewing the present system of informative traffic signs in the light of international developments in this field. In the meantime, I intend to issue further advice to road authorities on the importance of road signs and the necessity to ensure their proper placement and maintenance.
Would the Minister agree that there is a serious lack of adequate signposting not alone from the point of view of the tourist but also from the point of view of ordinary road users?
I would agree there seems to have been a great deal of abuse of existing road signs, an abuse which rendered them sometimes almost useless, and I have on more than one occasion told local authorities that they are responsible for keeping these signs in order and that responsibility goes further than painting them in black and white. I have asked local authorities to try to ensure that road signs are kept in good order and are pointing in the right direction.
The Minister is aware that up to recently Bord Fáilte supplied these signs but they are not doing so now. Local authorities now have to provide them.
That is a matter upon which, I am afraid, I have not got the necessary information.
Would the Minister concede that there are many beauty spots, little known, lost to tourists because of inadequate signposting?
I fear Deputy Leonard did not catch the first part of my reply to the effect that responsibility for providing signs, in accordance with the regulations, rests with the local road authority. It is not my responsibility. I have asked these authorities to try to maintain signposts in proper condition and, if Deputy Leonard has a complaint about inadequate road signs, he should take that up with the local road authority which would probably be very helpful.
Question No. 22 postponed.