Terry Brennan (Fine Gael)

I support my colleagues who called for a debate on The Gathering next year, particularly on how we as individuals can play our part in its success. I believe everybody has a part to play.

I seek a review of speed limits, particularly on rural, class three roads. These roads have grass growing in the middle of them and vehicles cannot pass each other at the same time - one vehicle must pull into a gateway to allow the other to pass. These roads have speed limit signs of 80 km/h. They are particularly dangerous. People live beside them. Some of these roads have been abandoned by local authorities and I have photographs to prove it. Some of them are in my county. Some of them have potholes as big as craters; one would not see bigger on the moon. Yet the speed limit is 80 km/h. I call on the Leader to arrange a debate on this. It probably concerns rural Senators more than our urban colleagues, although I am sure some of our urban colleagues have travelled on these roads. They are unbelievable.

I call on the Department to introduce improved legislation to ensure that local authorities, by using their own expertise, make decisions about certain roads. Local authorities have area engineers who are familiar with the roads I am discussing and can make quick decisions to ensure revised speed limit signs are erected forthwith. These roads are just being used by rally drivers. Families cannot walk on them. We encourage people to walk in the countryside but they cannot walk on these roads. Parents with young children in prams cannot take them for a walk because of cars travelling at excess speeds. I call for a review and that speed limit signs be appropriate, whether it be 10 km/h, 20 km/h or 30 km/h. Certainly, in the cases I have in mind, it should not be 80 km/h.