I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 to 168, inclusive, together.
The Road Traffic Acts provide for the direct application of speed limits to all roads. Under the provisions of these Acts, a default speed limit of 30 miles per hour applies to all roads, apart from motorways, in a built-up area and a general speed limit of 60 miles per hour applies to all roads outside such areas apart from motorways. A default speed limit of 70 miles per hour applies in the case of motorways. The Acts provide that local authorities may make bye-laws through which the speed limits that apply on a default basis can be changed in respect of roads specified in such bye-laws. These bye-laws are made by the elected members of the local authorities following consultation with the Garda Commissioner and, in the case of national roads, with the consent of the National Roads Authority, NRA.
In the context of an overall review of speed limits carried out against the background of the metrication of such limits generally, county and city managers were asked in January 2003 to examine the position in relation to their areas. The primary focus of the examination was to ensure that the disapplication of default speed limits and the application of special speed limits were supported by bye-laws. In addition, the authorities were asked to look at instances where speed limits might not be appropriate and to take any action they deemed to be appropriate. My Department subsequently wrote to managers in March 2003 repeating the request to look at possible instances of inappropriate speed limits and outlining the overall position in relation to the progress for metrication of speed limits later this year.
Both the Automobile Association and the Society for the Irish Motor Industry recently presented me with lists of locations in respect of which they had received representations questioning the speed limits currently in place. In order to assist managers in the review referred to above, they have been advised of the locations identified in the submissions of the two organisations. Managers have specifically been asked to look at these locations and if the local authority considers that the speed limit is not appropriate, that steps should be taken to introduce appropriate amendments to the bye-laws, which will see more appropriate speed limits applied. On the other hand, where the local authority considers that a speed limit in question is appropriate, they have been asked to consider the provision of a sign informing road users of the need for that limit.
The enforcement of speed limits is a matter for the Garda Síochána. Where a person either pays a fixed charge or is convicted of a speed limit offence, data necessary to ensure that penalty points are endorsed in the person's licence record is forwarded to my Department. That data does not include a reference to the location at which the breaching of the speed limit occurred.