Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014
1104. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to deliver on his predecessor's commitment to introduce bilingual road signage with the Irish language given equal prominence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41101/14]
View answerThe primary motivation in relation to the display of text on road traffic signs is to ensure that the information they carry assists in the safe use of the road network and provides clarity for road users so as not to compromise road safety.
The rules governing the design of road traffic signs are set out in my Department's Traffic Signs Manual. In particular, the format for the Irish and English language text has been in place since 1978 and was retained in the 1996 and 2010 updates of the Manual. The resulting text, format and imaging were based on research, road safety considerations and on the practical understanding of Ireland’s road network.
This had led to a clear set of rules in respect of the design of traffic signs that convey an intuitive understanding of bi-lingual destinations for both to residents and visitors alike and I understand that we do not receive complaints from the motoring public regarding any lack of clarity or difficulty with legibility of text on our road traffic signs in either the English or Irish languages.
I am aware that my predecessor saw some merit in having a small number of signs, in a format proposed in a report commissioned by Conradh na Gaeilge, erected at a few high profile locations around the country in order to test public perceptions. However, before that suggestion is advanced any further, I wish to take some time to review the position to ensure that any such change is warranted at all but in particular to ensure that any modification to the display of text on our road signs will not compromise road safety in any way.
