Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I move amendment No. 42:

In page 12, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following:

"8.—The speed limit on any non-national road in respect of which a local authority has not specified any alternative limit, whether before or after the commencement of this section, is 60 kilometres per hour.".

I feel strongly that the default speed limit on our roads is too high at 80 km/h. Given that there are many more country roads and lanes than there are decent roads, it makes more sense to have a lower default speed limit that applies everywhere and on those roads that can take a higher speed, it should be up to a local authority to designate the speed limit. The default speed limit being so high leads to ridiculous situations on dangerous, narrow roads. It is not practical to talk about putting in place lower speed limit signs on these minor roads so it is logical, therefore, to put the signs on the better roads.

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