asked the Minister for Local Government what steps are being taken to ensure that the Irish names of towns on signposts and placards at town entrances are correctly inscribed; if he is aware that a large number of such signs are incorrect; and what steps he will take to improve the situation.
Questions—Ceisteanna. Oral Answers. - Road Signs.
56.
Informative traffic signs are provided for road authorities by Bord Fáilte Éireann. I understand that it has been the practice of the board to use the versions of placenames determined by An Coimisiún Logainmneacha. I am not aware that there is any widespread problem regarding differing inscriptions on signs but if the Deputy has particular locations in mind, perhaps he would raise the matter with Bord Fáilte.
I am told that outside Edgeworthstown there is a sign which reads "Meatha Truim"; the correct spelling is "Meathas Truim". Again, at Lucan, there is a sign on which the Irish version is incorrectly spelt. That is the information I have been given by an expert. I am no expert.
We should leave it to the experts.
The person who gave me the information is an expert.
Bord Fáilte is advised by An Coimisiún Logainmneacha and I would advise the Deputy to bring the matter to the notice of Bord Fáilte or, if he likes to give me the information, I will bring it to the notice of the board.
57.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will advise local authorities to clean or replace dirty or damaged road and tourist signs.
Each year when notifying road authorities of their Road Fund allocation for that year, my Department draws attention to the purposes for which road upkeep grants may be used. These include renewal and maintenance—including cleaning, where necessary—of traffic signs. In addition, it is customary when speed limits regulations for a county are made or amended to stress to the road authority concerned that all traffic signs should at all times be maintained in a clean and clearly visible state, particularly speed limit signs.
I am sure the Minister has noticed that the road signs in practically every county seem to be very dirty. Some are badly damaged, so badly damaged that it is impossible to discern the names. Perhaps a reminder to local authorities to do something about this might help. It amounts to a scandal around an airport, or something like that, to find dirty and mutilated signs. I do not know of any other country in which this kind of thing occurs.