Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It was changed two or three weeks ago so hopefully we should be there.

Amendments were made in the Dáil with regard to variable speed limits. The speed limit is based on default limits for different classes of roads, with local authorities allowed to set special speed limits on specific roads in their areas. The published Bill proposes allowing TII to set special speed limits in order to provide for variable speed limits. However, this mechanism requires a by-law each time a limit is set, which would not be practical in the context of the need for rapid responses to changing transport circumstances. Senators Garvey and Dolan made a good case in this regard. Senator Dolan mentioned Ballinasloe Rugby Club, which is based outside the town. We do not have the right connection to it in terms of a safe footpath or a safe cycle path.In those circumstances, it is absolutely right and appropriate for us to start looking at changing the speed limits to fit the circumstances. First and foremost, we need to look at the purpose of the road. Is it designed to get traffic through Ballinasloe with the least inconvenience possible, or is it there to serve the people of Ballinasloe? I believe it is the latter. Young children should be able to get to a sports club without having to be driven there. This frees up parents, it is better for the children and it addresses the issue Senator Garvey rightly raised around obesity.

The Irish-language issue was among several issues raised by Senator Boylan. We have looked at this in quite some detail. The current design system is based on safety. That must be our first priority. It is very interesting. Extensive analysis has been done in accordance with setting the traffic signs manual. We display Irish text in sentence case format which inclines slightly to the right. English text is displayed in Roman capital letters. This is primarily a safety issue. It conveys to drivers as clearly as possible that two distinct languages are contained on the sign. I am told by the engineers that there must be an obvious distinction in text in order not to compromise road safety. This is imperative not only for Irish drivers but also for the tourists on our roads. There is a clear definition between the two. That is why sentence case lettering, which is where the first letter is capitalised at an angle of 15°, is used for the Irish text while upper-case lettering is used for the English text. The scientific analysis that has been done suggests that this very much improves the comprehension and the clear differentiation. According to the advice from the expert at the Department, the used of reclined italics and generally lower case script emphasises and best represents the Gaelic script. There are various reasons behind it. I understand fully that no one wants to show any prominence to the first language over the second or vice versa. I have explained why those rules are there.

In conclusion, without having addressed every aspect, I intend to introduce a number of amendments on Committee Stage. This is such an extensive Bill, and the timeline has been so long in terms of introducing it, that we have seen the case and need for what are often relatively minor amendments. First, we will seek amendments in provisions regarding motor tax, particularly in respect of the taxation of State-owned vehicles. Second, we will seek further changes regarding TII's CCTV provisions. The Roads Act 1993 will be amended to clarify the definition of cycleways in that regard. Amendments to section 19 of the Road Traffic Act will address concerns that have arisen with regard to maintenance and traffic finance to make sure TII has the powers it needs. Third, we will seek to introduce amendments to allow for the legislative underpinning of driver and vehicle records held by the Minister for Transport to make sure we are compliant with GDPR. It will move the legislative underpinning of these records to the Road Traffic Acts and provide the necessary legislation to comply with current data legislation requirements regarding the showing of data. Fourth, I will seek an amendment on the issuing of fixed charge notices by the Revenue Commissioners to allow them to issue such notices in respect of a small number of specific offences within their remit relating to licence plates. Finally, there will be further technical amendments on the motor insurance database and other matters, including a number of technical amendments relating to the motor third party liability database, correcting a number of errors in the present text identified by the Bills Office and revising the numbering of the new section 23B that is being inserted into the Road Traffic Act 1961 due to the passage this summer of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022. The legislation will also introduce a new section 23B so the numbering of the sections will be correct.

I have not by any means addressed all of the questions raised by the Senators but we can come back to the points of concern.