asked the Minister for the Environment if he is satisfied that local authorities around the country and in the greater Dublin region are complying with their statutory obligations to erect road signs in Irish and English outside the Gaeltacht areas and in Irish only within the Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Signs.
36.
It is the responsibility of road authorities to ensure that traffic signs provided by them are in accordance with regulations made under the Road Traffic Acts or are as otherwise authorised under those Acts.
In so far as informative signs are concerned, the regulations provide that, in Gaeltacht areas, place names on such signs shall be in Irish only and that elsewhere place names shall be shown in both Irish and English except where the spelling of the name is similar in Irish and English, e.g. Portlaoise.
In so far as other traffic signs are concerned, e.g. warning and regulatory signs, almost all involve the use of symbols with no wording. The major exception is the "Yield Right of Way" sign which also has an Irish version "Géill Slí". In this case, road authorities have been informed that, while the Irish version may be used in Gaeltacht areas the English version should be used elsewhere because of the importance of the sign from a road safety aspect and the need for all road users to understand its meaning clearly. The latter principle would apply equally to any other warning or regulatory signs on which it might be deemed necessary to provide wording in addition to, or instead of a symbol, especially where experimental signs are being used.
I am satisfied that road authorities are aware of these requirements and that they are generally observed. However, if the Deputy is aware of a particular instance where a requirement is not being observed, he should pursue the matter initially with the road authority and, if necessary, bring the matter to my attention.
Considerable progress has been made in regard to the type, quality and positioning of signs used and I should like to know what progress has been made in regard to decisions on the direction of signs.
As the Deputy has pointed out, a great deal of improvement has been made in regard to road signs. Where new signs are being erected on national primary and national secondary roads they comply with specific standards. Local authorities are advised by my Department to make the signs as modern, clearly readable and visible as possible. In general signs are improving throughout the country.