Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for taking this Adjournment matter on the road safety measures required throughout the country.

The context in which I raise this matter is that I acquired the support and signatures of 300 people living in the Kilreekill area of County Galway who are very concerned about the condition of the Kilreekill to Mullagh road which, regrettably, is well known locally as a notorious accident black spot. This stretch of road represents a major hazard to all local road users and has been the scene of a number of fatal collisions in recent years. One of the main issues is that there is no white line on a portion of the road. This presents a significant safety risk as road users are unable to identify the central demarcation line.

The people of Kilreekill and surrounding areas should not have to put their lives at risk on a daily basis by having to drive on a clearly dangerous and substandard stretch of road. The 300 signatures which I will furnish to the Minister's office are further evidence of the strong depth of feeling locally concerning the issue. The Minister's intervention is urgently required to ensure this safety issue is addressed and that there is none or at least a much reduced number of fatal road collisions on this road and others throughout the country. It would be remiss of me not to put this issue to the Minister and ask him to set out a policy programme through the National Roads Authority to ensure the adequate lining of all secondary and regional routes in the interests of road safety.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity to address it in the House. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in regard to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads are statutory matters for the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The NRA arranges for the lining of national primary and secondary routes by contractors under a multi-annual programme.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads are the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants paid by my Department. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded are also matters for the local authority.

A total of ¤346.5 million is available this year under the regional and local roads investment programme. However, it is a matter for local authorities to decide on their road programmes and how best to utilise the resources available to them.

The signage and delineation on Irish roads are provided for in accordance with the Department's traffic signs manual, the current standard for signing and road marking. The most recent edition of the manual was issued in January 2011. The manual was produced by my Department, together with the technical assistance of the NRA, the County and City Managers Association and Roughan & O'Donovan - AECOM Consulting Engineers and supersedes the previously published 1996 traffic signs manual.

There are various factors to be taken into account, including road width and sight distance, when deciding on the appropriate road markings to be used on any given road. The traffic signs manual provides the guidelines for all local authorities regarding road markings which may be used on roads in Ireland, including their layout and dimensions, the circumstances in which markings may be used and guidance on positioning them. This ensures consistency across the country.

The traffic signs manual also provides comprehensive advice on all aspects of signing and lining and emphasises the need for maintenance and the renewal of signs and road markings. Using the guidance detailed in the manual, it is a matter for local authorities to provide adequate road marking and signage where it is required.

I am satisfied that the guidelines outlined in the traffic signs manual are sufficient to ensure consistency on road markings across the country. I have no plans for a policy programme on the lining of secondary and regional routes.

As regards the illumination of bus stops, the NRA has regard to the need for bus stops on national routes where higher speeds apply to be located appropriately, taking safety factors into account. Where possible, bus stops are located where they can benefit from existing high quality street lighting. In keeping with this approach, Bus Éireann's policy on the illumination of its bus shelters is that, where possible, lighting should be provided at shelters on a 24 hour basis or from dusk to dawn. While it does not have a policy of illumination of bus poles, in the vast majority of cases these bus poles are located in urban settings where on-street illumination is provided. This is also the case where bus shelters are not illuminated.

I do not know the road in detail about which the Senator spoke, but I will ensure her correspondence is made available. I will take a personal interest in the matter and ask the local authority or the NRA, as appropriate, to respond directly on the issues raised.

Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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While I accept that local authorities and various State agencies have responsibility for road safety under statute, I acknowledge that the Minister is being incredibly helpful. I raise a very serious matter to do with road safety and it is clear that his intervention is needed, as quite a number of people use this road. As I stated, over 300 people have signed a petition to have the road marked and brought up to a good condition.