Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The European Transport Safety Council's document of January 2010 referred to by the Deputy is being examined in my Department. Statutory responsibility for the application of special speed limits through the making of special speed limit by-laws is vested in the elected members of county councils and city councils.

In 2005 statutory guidance was issued to local authorities on the setting of special speed limits in accordance with section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004. These guidelines were revised and issued to local authorities again in December 2008. They set out principles to guide local authorities in setting special speed limits and, under section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004, application by local authorities of the 30 km/h speed limit must be in accordance with the criteria set in the guidelines.

In setting a speed limit, a local authority must assess various factors with the primary focus being on road safety. It is, quite appropriately, a matter for the local authority to assess the various factors at play in setting a special speed limit, including compliance with the criteria set in the guidelines. Any assessment of the impact of the new 30 km/h zone in Dublin city centre is a matter for the city council. The Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations, 1997, as amended, provide for the specification for speed limit signage. The traffic signs manual provides guidance to local authorities in respect of the erection of such signage. I am satisfied with the provisions in respect of speed limit signage contained in these regulations and I have no plans to alter them. Under section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, it is a matter for each road authority to determine if and where a traffic sign is provided on the public roads in their area.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan I have been reading the Survey of Free Speed, sent to me by the Road Safety Authority. Does the Minister accept that speed continues to be a major problem? The survey states that 65% of articulated drivers were free speeding or in excess of the speed limit on local roads. Some 60% of motorists were speeding in urban areas. Almost 60% of buses were speeding on local and regional roads. I refer to the collisions report for 2008 which I have in front of me and which the Minister has probably read. It states some 54% of single vehicle fatal collisions are blamed on speeding. Clearly, this is a major issue.

When Dublin City Council passed the new 3 sq. km. 30 km/h speed limit, only three councillors voted against it from the 52 who voted. Is it not a major problem that a 40 km/h speed limit was not introduced under the 2004 Act? Is the lack of a 40 km/h limit not a major gap? When I was the leader of the Labour Party in Dublin City Council, I sought a 25 mph default speed limit in estates and road near pedestrian areas. I could not do it for the same reason. A speed of 25 mph is equivalent to 40 km/h. Does the Minister have any intention to introduce a 40 km/h speed limit in the road traffic Bill?

I welcome warmly the new consultation process taking place on the operation of the 30 km/h speed limit. Does the Minister accept the report mentioned in the question, that is, the European Transport Safety Council's report? It states that "if a limit is not credible, drivers will be more inclined to choose their own speed". Therefore, it is critical to have credible limits that will be obeyed.

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