asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give greater powers to members of local authorities in setting up speed limits within their own local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Local Speed Limits.
41.
At present local speed limits must be prescribed in regulations made by me under the Road Traffic Acts. However, a measure of devolution has existed since 1974, whereby such regulations are made on a county by county basis, based on periodic reviews undertaken by the local authorities themselves in conjuction with the Garda. It is the policy to implement local authority proposals as far as possible subject only to a discretion being exercised by me in relation to proposals for limits on national roads, in view of the importance of ensuring uniformity of treatment for the national road network as a whole.
42.
asked the Minister for the Environment when Clare County Council speed limit programme will be finally approved by his Department.
I expect to make regulations giving effect to Clare County Council's proposals for revised speed limits on roads in County Clare in the course of the next week or so.