Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that. I understand that the local authorities will examine each particular stretch of road and find an appropriate speed for it. Many stretches of our secondary roads are not safe to travel on at the standard speed limit of 80 km/h. The speed limit needs to be reduced in those cases. We need to see an appropriate means by which this can be done. The local authorities need to examine each stretch of road and adjust the speed limit accordingly. Another aspect of this on many roads, not just country or byroads, is the number of dangerous corners and junctions. Work needs to be done on these. It is not all about ensuring that driver behaviour is right, we also need to ensure that the infrastructure is right and that the roads are safer to use. Every year each local authority applies to the Department seeking funding for safety measures. They usually look for funding for two and sometimes three times the number of projects than they receive. I appeal to the Minister of State that adequate funding be put in place to deal with accident black spots

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