Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I wish to reply to Deputy Shortall's question by giving her some up-to-date and, hopefully, relevant information. As she knows, the 1996 traffic signs manual deals with this issue. I will try to foreshorten my reply because there is not a lot of time available. I examined the issue regarding local authorities, which seems to be central to what Deputy Shortall is saying. The overall manual is currently the subject of a comprehensive review. The immediate focus of that review is the presentation of a new chapter 8 relating to road work signage. A draft of the chapter has been circulated to local authorities for their views. It is my intention to publish the chapter as soon as the review has been completed, probably later this year when the consultation process is over. With its publication, the signs described in the new chapter 8 will provide the only reference point for the provision of road signs at road works. The chapter will represent a direction to local authorities from the Minister and, accordingly, they will be required to comply with the provisions that are set out in it. The Deputy is correct and the process to deal with the matter is already well under way.

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