Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 2

Written Answers. - Road Signage.

David Stanton

Ceist:

31 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he is satisfied that tourists touring the country are adequately served and informed by the directional signposting systems currently in place; if not, his views on whether the signposting policy needs to be improved in order to assist tourists and visitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6693/01]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

34 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the Irish Hotels Federation that poor road signage is a particular cause of complaints among tourists; the proposals he has to improve the quality of road signs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10146/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 34 together.

The National Roads Authority has assumed direct responsibility for the provision of directional signage and delineation on national roads. Issues arising in this connection may be appropriately addressed to NRA.

My Department has published the Traffic Signs Manual (1996) as a comprehensive guide to the provision of road signage in Ireland. It prescribes the design, formats, dimensions and positioning of all road signs and the standards required to ensure that road users are given messages clearly and in good time. The use of the manual is intended over time to lead to greater uniformity of practice and to the creation of a more consistent approach to signing generally.

In its role of oversight of the non-national roads programme, my Department issued a circular letter to road authorities in August 1998 emphasising the importance of providing and maintaining a high standard of road signage. My Department's Memorandum on Grants for Non-National Roads, which issued on 5 February 2001, again reminded local authorities of the need to bring their signage on the non-national road network up to the standards of the Traffic Signs Manual. This memorandum also reminded local authorities of the need to provide road signposting so as to assist foreign tourists at points of entry to the country and to remedy any deficiencies in this regard as quickly as possible.

There has been significant investment in the non-national road network in recent years. Central funding has increased from £174.8 million in 1997 to £319 million in 2001 – an increase of 82%. The significantly increased funding being provided to local authorities is intended to meet their ongoing needs in relation to the non-national road network which includes,inter alia, the provision of adequate signposting.