Vol. 413 No. 6
11 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider, under the terms of the Local Government Act, 1991, to transfer his function of revision of speed limits to local authorities so that in future the council in consultation with the Garda may prepare and adopt revisions of speed limits.
A measure of devolution in this matter has existed since 1974 in that regulations are made, on a county by county basis, following periodic reviews undertaken by local authorities in conjunction with the Garda. While it is policy to implement local authority proposals as far as possible, existing law allows speed limits to be prescribed only in regulations made by me under the Road Traffic Acts. I am in favour of devolving responsibility for speed limits, other than those on national roads, to local authorities, and I am considering how best this can be achieved.
I am pleased with the latter part of the Minister's reply. As the Minister is aware, at present a review takes place only every five years, in consultation with the Department of the Environment. Is the Minister aware that it can often take 12 to 18 months for the Department to notify the local authority of the revision of speed limits? I appreciate the Minister's concern in relation to the national primary routes. I am sure he is serious in his intent in relation to the devolution of responsibility for regional and county roads. That decision could be made by the local county council.
As I have pointed out in my reply, for non-national roads there is no reason local authorities should not make the decision in conjunction with the local gardaí. I am considering whether it is possible to do so under the Local Government Act, 1991, or whether an amendment is needed to the Road Traffic Act. As has been announced we will be bringing forward a Road Traffic Bill.
