Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 November 2018
196. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 871 of 6 November 2018, if councillors are free to make changes to speed limits (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49864/18]
View answerAs I explained to the Deputy in response to Question No. 871 of 6 November, the Road Traffic Act 2004 sets default speed limits for various categories of roads but elected members of local authorities have statutory responsibility for deciding on and making appropriate Special Speed Limit bye-laws for roads within their administrative area and, in the case of national roads, subject to the consent of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The making of such bye-laws is a reserved function of the elected members of the council.
To assist local authorities in the application of Special Speed Limits, my Department's updated Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland, which is available on my Department’s website, reiterate the statutory responsibilities of elected members in relation to the making of such Special Speed Limit bye-laws, while providing Guidelines taking account of relevant national policy and local circumstances - including road safety.
