Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2018
574. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a reply to a letter sent to him on 11 May 2018 (details supplied) will issue; the reason for the delay in replying to this letter despite reminders seeking a reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42134/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual national roads including motorways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
I understand from TII that the signage on the M17/M18 for Ireland West Airport and Shannon Airport adheres to the principles of the current edition of the Traffic Signs Manual (TSM).
The TSM stipulates the traffic signs to be used on Irish roads, their layout and symbols, the circumstances in which each sign should be used and the rules for positioning them. The Manual constitutes a Ministerial Direction to road authorities under section 95(16) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, and is available from my Department's website.
Regarding the correspondence received in my Department referred to by the Deputy, regarding signage issues relating to Ireland West Airport, these issues raised are now being considered in the context of a general review of the TSM which is now under way. The Deputy will appreciate that such a review must consider the impact of any amendments on the safety and efficiency of the road network as a whole and not just individual cases. I intend to revert to the Deputy with the outcome of the review, including in relation to these matters, when it is complete.
