Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. This debate was also taking place yesterday in Belfast. I think the proposal in the central Belfast district is to reduce the speed limit from 40 mph to 20 mph. There are the usual complaints but the point, if I can recall the numbers correctly, was that the reduction in fatalities is about 70%. There is a massive difference between being hit by a car at 40 mph and at 20 mph. That is what the amendments are trying to capture.

Again, I thank the Minister. I hope that those procedures he has described are observed. I can recall roads on which the speed limits changed without notice. There was supposed to be a committee; the matter was referred to one of the recent meetings of the transport committee. The committee members may be a bit more open in their work.

I do not wish to delay the House and will not move amendment No. 4. I thank the Minister and support him. Reducing the speed limit to 20 mph in Belfast is the correct thing to do given the evidence of the damage to the human body in collision with a vehicle at those speeds.