Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a testament to Jake Brennan and to his parents that the legislation has made it to the House and will be passed. This will be part of his legacy. A speed limit of 20 km/h is slow, as Senator Mooney said. The explanatory memorandum states: "Slow zones are envisaged as areas with a reduced speed limit of 30 km/h along with self-enforcing traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and road markings which seek to change driver behaviour". We do not have sufficient gardaí to enforce this on every estate. It is about self-enforcement. Local authorities will have the power to designate the speed limit on a housing estate but they will have to install speed bumps, erect proper signage and ensure proper road markings. It is better not to tie them down and the Minister has ensured this in the legislation. They may not be able to put in a speed bump in certain circumstances because of school transport and ambulances, for example. I know of problems that have been caused for hearses because of speed bumps outside churches. It is important that we do not tie the Minister down too much in this regard. Three speed limits of 40 km/h, 30 km/h and 20 km/h are provided for, which are self-enforcing. It is up to the local authority to enforce them through proper road markings and speed bumps. We cannot expect gardaí to sit in a van on an estate with a speed camera. I ask Senator Barrett to withdraw that provision in the amendment.