Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I am grateful to the Minister for that response as it fills in many of the gaps on the history and background to signage. However, most of the response is taken up with the issue of design and the manner in which signs should be displayed. The core of my argument is the point mentioned in the last sentence of the response, that signage is a matter for local authorities. I agree and have no difficulty about that. However, local authorities are not implementing the recommendations and guidelines as set down in the Department's traffic signs manual. Therefore, I ask for some proactive approach to be taken by the Department on this, rather than just saying it is up to the local authorities.

Local authorities are failing in their duty in this regard. It seems they tender to different companies which do not then consult with the Place Names Commission as to the correct spelling. I cannot think of any other reason for the problem. Perhaps the Minister of State can explain the reason. I am sure he has come across similar variations to those I have, where there is a variation in the spelling of the names. All I ask for is that some uniformity is brought into the system. This is a policy issue and if the Department does not take it on board, it is left to individual local authorities. Some of these are good, some very good and some not good enough. I hope the Minister of State will take the message back to the Minister that he should look again at the responsibilities of the Department in this regard, to ensure there is no variation in the spelling of place names across the country.