Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 5

Written Answers. - Road Signage.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

371 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the complaints from the public regarding the lack of uniformity in regulatory road signs; the action he has taken to compel South Dublin County Council (details supplied) to use speed limit signs which conform to the shape and distinctiveness of standard road signs as set down in the rules of the road; the action he is taking generally to ensure uniformity of road signs in different local authority areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30186/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan):

The provision of road traffic signs is a matter for each road authority under section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 as amended by section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994. That section provides that all traffic signs must be in accordance with traffic signs regulations in the case of all regulatory signs or, in accordance with directions under section 95(16) of that Act in respect of all other traffic signs.

The current parameters set for local authorities for the provision of traffic signs can be found by reference to the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations of 1997 and 1998 and the Traffic Signs Manual, published in December 1996, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

South Dublin County Council has made representations to my Department seeking to utilise a new sign format as a repeater speed limit sign. The council were advised that provision had already been made in the traffic signs regulations for a traffic sign to be used for that purpose and that the signs they were proposing did not correspond to those provisions.