Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 31 January 2006, when the new traffic signs manual will be completed; when it will be published; if it will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas before publication; the length of time it has been in development; if there is an existing comprehensive framework for traffic signage in place; the stage at which the Dublin City Council proposal referred to in his answer will be considered; the estimated time such consideration will take; when he will be in a position to indicate if this proposal will be accepted and translated into regulations; his views on this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4179/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Traffic Signs Manual, published in 1996, incorporates the design of all of the traffic signs that can be deployed on public roads and guidance and advice in relation to the use of such signs.

Traffic signs can be generally divided into three distinct groupings. These are regulatory signs, warning signs and information signs. While the manual provides depictions of regulatory signs, the statutory basis for such signs is established in regulations made by the Minister under section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. For the purpose of warning and information signs, the manual constitutes a direction given by the Minister under section 95(16) of the 1961 Act, which provides the legislative basis for the design and use of non-regulatory traffic signs generally.

Work on updating the manual commenced in late 2004. A draft of a new chapter 8 of the manual, which relates to traffic signs at roadworks, is currently the subject of a consultation process involving all road authorities. This chapter will be finalised following consideration of submissions received and it is proposed that it will be completed by mid-year. Work on the remaining chapters is progressing and it is intended that drafts of updated chapters will be made available for consultation with road authorities between this and the end of the year. I expect therefore that the updated manual will be ready to be published in early 2007. As is the case with the current manual, the new publication will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The proposals made by Dublin City Council would require changes to parking regulations and the designation of new signs or, alternatively, a revision of the application and status of existing signs. As the council has been advised, its proposal is being considered in the context of the development of the chapters in the traffic signs manual concerning regulatory signs. If it is considered appropriate to adopt the suggestion made by the council, it will have to be supported by provisions in both traffic and parking regulations made under section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 and traffic signs regulations made under section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1996.