asked the Minister for the Environment the reasons for the delay in sanctioning speed limits at various locations throughout the country; the locations which he proposes to give an extension to the speed limit area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Speed Limits.
529.
No avoidable delay occurs in dealing with proposals for revisions of speed limits. Speed limits must be prescribed in regulations made by me under the Road Traffic Acts. However, an administrative devolution was made in 1974 to allow local authorities themselves, in conjunction with the Garda to recommend proposals for revisions and additions to existing local speed limits, i.e. built-up area and special speed limits.
Under this system, reviews of speed limits are conducted peroidically by local authorities in accordance with guidelines laid down by my Department. Proposals arising from such reviews are submitted to me on a county by county basis and the ensuring regulations are dealt with in a similar manner. The first completed cycle of regulations made under these arrangements was completed at the end of 1979. The second cycle is currently in progress and to date regulations have been made for 13 counties. Proposals are currently before me for revisions of speed limits in counties Carlow, Cavan, Donegal, Dublin, Laois, Longford, Meath, Waterford and Wicklow.
Regulations for these counties will be made as soon as possible. Proposals for counties Galway, Leitrim, Louth, Mayo and Sligo are still awaited from the local authorities concerned. While it is my policy to implemented local authority proposalse as far as possible, I have reserved particular discretion in relation to national roads in view of the importance of ensuring uniformity of treatment throughout the network and of ensuring that speed limits on such roads do not adversely affect the level of service or safety on such roads. Proposals for limits on such roads must accordingly be specially vetted by my Department's roads inspectorate. In addition, local authority proposals must be converted into a form suitable for regulations; in particular descriptions of locations must be sufficiently accurate for legal purposes.