Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for the changeover of all speed limits from miles to the metric system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26961/04]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether the speed limit changeover will be introduced on time by January 2005 as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26998/04]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 182 together.

As I indicated in reply to Question No. 395 of 5 October last a Metrication Changeover Board is working to the timeframe of 20 January 2005 for the introduction of new metric speed limit structures on the public road network. To facilitate the changeover it is necessary to amend the Road Traffic Acts to provide for the introduction of new speed limit structures expressed in metric values. To that end I intend to progress the passage of the Road Traffic Bill 2004 through the Houses of the Oireachtas over the coming weeks.

Following the enactment of the primary legislation, I will advance secondary legislation, including regulations, to prescribe ordinary speed limits, that is, vehicle-related speed limits, in metric values, new traffic signs regulations and amending traffic and parking regulations. It is intended that a multi-media public information and public awareness campaign will be undertaken in the lead-up to speed limits going metric countrywide on 20 January 2005.