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

I thank the Minister of State. Regarding the speed limit reductions, when will we see the new signs being put up? It is well and good for us to talk about it, and the more conversation there is a around it, the more people are aware and it is hoped it will have an impact. The thing that will have an impact is when it is actually in place. When does the Minister of State expect local authorities to be putting up signs reducing the speed limits on many of those dangerous roads?

The other aspect of this issue has to do with enforcement. The biggest problem is that we do not have the levels of enforcement we need. This particularly applies to the road policing sections of An Garda Síochána. These have been cut in almost every county. This issue also needs to be examined.

I have raised the issue of the roads themselves several times. I note in the budget that €150 million was removed from road safety and put into active travel. I know there was an explanation of that decision, but when I speak to local authorities, there are concerns that when they look for money, they will not be able to get it for accident blackspots. In fairness, the Minister was in a committee this week and told me there would be funding available. Have local authorities been told when that funding will be available and what will be available?

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