Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 6

Written Answers. - Speed Limits.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

178 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Environment if he will relinquish his authority over the application by local authorities for extensions of 30 and 40 miles per hour speed limits; and if he will grant this power to the relevant local authorities.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

At present, speed limits must be prescribed in regulations made by me under the Road Traffic Acts.

A measure of devolution has existed since 1974 whereby such regulations are made on a county-by-county basis on periodic reviews undertaken by the local authorities themselves in conjunction with the Garda. It is policy to implement local authority proposals as far as possible subject only to a discretion being exercised by me in relation to proposals for limits on national roads, in view of the importance of ensuring uniformity of treatment for the national road network as a whole.

The question of devolving responsibility for setting speed limits locally other than on national routes will be considered in the context of the next appropriate legislation.