Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We will leave it for the moment.

Deputy Catherine Murphy wanted me to answer a few other questions. I suppose the question of by-laws is a problem in that they operate in a kind of one-size-fits-all manner. I have some sympathy for local authorities in that regard. We must give them the flexibility because what suits one estate does not suit another and the application of an overall 20 km/h limit would be dangerous. I share the Deputy's frustration about the delays. However, if such thorough procedures are not in place, there will be complaints on the other side that there has been no thorough procedure, so I would prefer to leave it the way it is. This is a big step. It gives local authorities a lot of power. It will be interesting to see how they exercise it. It is probably right that we give them the power but we will review how they exercise. I am of the view that they should do exercise it fairly ruthlessly, given, as the Deputy noted, that the only real priority is the safety of the children who live in these estates. We will enter into a somewhat experimental sphere now to see what happens, whether it works and how the local authorities exercise the power.