Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 4

Written Answers. - Roads Signage.

Denis Naughten

Question:

40 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the discussion he has had with the Department of the Environment and Local Government regarding the standard of signposting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16133/01]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

Ministerial responsibility for signposting rests with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, who, on 5 April, informed the House, in response to Questions Nos. 31 and 34, of the continued emphasis being placed on the provision and maintenance of a high standard of road signage. The National Roads Authority has direct responsibility for the provision of directional signage and delineation on national roads.

Over the past three years my Department and I have been in contact with the Minister for Environment and Local Government and his Department in relation to the need to ensure that infrastructure spend generally addresses tourism priorities and on the specific issue of signposting.

Central funding of the non-national road network, to meet ongoing needs of local authorities including the provision of adequate signposting increased by 82% between 1997 and 2001, a very practical example of the Government's real commitment to investment in our road system under the national development plan.

On 5 February the Department of the Environment and Local Government formally reminded local authorities of the need to bring their signage on the non-national road network up to the standards of the traffic signs manual and provide roads signage so as to assist foreign tourists at points of entry to the country – and to remedy any deficiencies in this regard.

Question No. 41 answered with Question No. 15.