Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to contribute to the debate and I commend Deputy Ellis for introducing the legislation. I met Roseann Brennan for the first time earlier. I commend the fantastic work she has done and, like everyone else, I would like to express my sympathy on the loss of Jake. As a parent, I can think of nothing worse. I have spoken at length to the Minister about this issue previously in the context of my constituency of Limerick city. Traffic calming on estates is one of the top issues among parents, particularly those who have young children. I welcome the fact that the Minister has committed to introducing the 20 km/h speed limit in the upcoming road traffic Bill but I would like to outline a number of practical measures that should accompany that.

The guidelines that were published in 2010 need to be updated. There needs to be absolute consistency among local authorities. Deputy Phelan proposed that new planning permissions for estates should include traffic calming speed ramps. Many local authorities provide for them now but there may be differences between planners. There has to be absolute consistency and traffic calming measures should be provided when granting planning permission for all new estates. The reduction in the speed limit to 20 km/h must be accompanied by other measures. Speed ramps are a crude device but they are effective. The Minister made reference to signs, which are also important. In addition, there must be enforcement. If reduced speed limits are adopted, the Garda must enforce them. Its role needs to be examined to ensure this speed limit is observed.

We are seeking something positive to emerge from a tragedy. These changes should be part of an ongoing programme and funding should be embedded in the Department's budget such that every year, funding will be allocated to local authorities to adopt traffic calming measures on older and legacy estates. Over time, all estates should have appropriate traffic calming measures. I have spoken to engineers and other local authority staff in Limerick. Many of them would like to provide these measures on estates but, in many cases, lack of funding prevents them from doing so. That needs to be addressed.

I welcome the Minister's reference to a pilot scheme. The devil is often in the detail and perhaps the scheme could be run in Kilkenny where Jake was from, following discussions with Roseann, her family and others involved in the campaign. Practical experience is important but, as a Deputy and as a parent, I believe she has highlighted one of the top issues in the constituency I represent, particularly for parents. I echo the sentiments of other Members. Many people come to my clinics seeking traffic calming measures such as ramps on their estates but the funding is not available. A sum of €2 million will be set aside but it should be an ongoing allocation embedded in the transport budget on an annual basis.

I welcome the fact the Minister is looking at the traffic Bill due to be published shortly in regard to putting a 20 km limit in place and call for the guidelines for local authorities to be updated so that we will have consistency in regard to how each local authority applies them. I ask for the pilot scheme to be up and running as quickly as possible. In the circumstances, Kilkenny is the ideal location for the pilot as a legacy for Roseann and Jake. It would be a good place to see how the scheme would operate and to learn from it.

I would like to see practical measures taken. Ramps and signs are effective in estates, but we must also have enforcement of the regulations. Speed limits must be reduced to 20 km, physical structures - speed ramps and signs - must be provided in estates to slow people down and there must be enforcement. These three measures go hand in hand. We must also embed a provision in the transport budget each year for traffic calming measures for residential estates. Over time, all existing estates should put these measures in place to make estates safer for children. We need a change in mindset, but we must also have physical measures in place to ensure change happens.

I commend this Bill and commend Roseann and her family on the progress made on this issue.

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