Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made in completing the new traffic signs manual; when same is expected to be completed; the cost of the consultants engaged in this work; and the principal changes envisaged. [35972/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The traffic signs manual, which was published in December 1996, is currently the subject of a comprehensive review. That review is being carried out by consultants, under the direction of my Department, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the National Roads Authority, at a cost of €380,000.

The review has focused in the first instance on the issue of the traffic signage system applied to road works sites. A draft of the chapter of the manual relating to those signs is in the process of being issued to local authorities and other interested parties to afford them the opportunity to provide input before its publication, which is expected in the first quarter of 2006.

The review will ensure that the manual will provide information or guidance in relation to the use of all traffic signs, including those that relate to initiatives that have taken place since the publication of the current manual and developments in signage technology, in particular the use of variable message signs.

Progress has also been made in the preparation of the remaining chapters of the manual and it is proposed that those chapters will be published in the third quarter of 2006. It is envisaged that at the time of publication the manual will be placed on my Department's website. This will facilitate the process of readily updating the manual in future.