Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 804: To ask the Minister for Transport if the assessment of the case for banning supersize trucks has been completed; if he has set a deadline for his decision on this issue; and the remaining steps that need to be taken before a decision is made. [25628/05]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I expect to receive very soon a report from my officials on the outcome of the consultative process undertaken earlier this year on the question of a maximum height limit for vehicles. It is my intention on receiving the report to make an early decision on it.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 805: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has considered introducing compulsory wearing of helmets by cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25631/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There are no proposals at present to make the wearing of helmets for cyclists mandatory. The consensus of public authorities concerned with road safety has been that the wearing of helmets by cyclists is best promoted on a voluntary basis by way of educational and publicity campaigns

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 806: To ask the Minister for Transport the person who has primary responsibility for the provision of road safety measures, other than special speed limits, outside schools; the respective roles of the National Roads Authority, the school authorities and the local authorities; and the statutory instruments that apply. [25683/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Road authorities have responsibility to address road safety measures as required on the public roads in their areas. The deployment of speed/traffic calming measures and decisions regarding traffic and parking controls are matters for determination by local authorities. These powers were devolved to the individual authorities under the Road Traffic Act 1994.

The principal regulations governing traffic and parking provisions, including provisions for application of specific parking controls to prohibit stopping and parking of vehicles at school entrances and operation of school traffic wardens, are the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, SI 182 of 1997. These regulations have been supplemented and amended by SI 274 of 1998, SI 441 of 1998, SI 98 of 2003, SI 404 of 2004 and SI 11 of 2005.

The principal regulations prescribing regulatory traffic signs, including specific signs for deployment at school entrances, are the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 1997, SI 181 of 1997. These regulations have been supplemented and amended by SI 273 of 1998, SI 97 of 2003, SI 403 of 2004 and SI 10 of 2005.

Directions pursuant to section 95 (16) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 in relation to the provision and use of non-regulatory traffic signs, including warning signs for school ahead and school children crossing ahead and guidance in relation to signs generally, issued to road authorities in the comprehensive Traffic Signs Manual, published in 1996. A copy of this manual is available in the Oireachtas Library. In addition, "Traffic Management Guidelines", that were jointly published in May 2003 by my Department, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Dublin Transportation Office, set out guidance and advice to local authorities in respect of speed management and traffic calming generally. A copy of this publication is also available in the Oireachtas Library.

One of the specific measures available for deployment at school locations is a school warden service. The decision as to whether to deploy a school warden service at any particular location is a matter to be determined by the local authority. It is a function reserved to the elected members of the council under section 96 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

Concerning national and motorway roads the National Roads Authority has a role also, in that road safety measures on national roads are subject to the NRA's overall responsibility for the construction and maintenance of national roads. The road traffic legislative measures have application in respect of public roads and do not prescribe functions or responsibilities for school authorities.