Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied with the bilingual road signage here despite the fact that the Irish translation on road signage is obviously smaller and in a lighter font; and if he has had or will have discussions with the National Roads Authority in relation to same as they receive a grant from public moneys for such signage. [7853/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The manner is which text is displayed on traffic signs by road authorities, and the format used in the case of Irish text, English text or text in any other language is determined by the Minister for Transport under section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

The Traffic Signs Manual sets out the principles laid down for road authorities in relation to the manner in which Irish and English text must be displayed on traffic signs. The Manual sets out the standard form of all non-regulatory traffic signs. In the case of regulatory traffic signs, the text to be displayed is prescribed in the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 1997-2006 and in the associated Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997-2006.

Road authorities and the National Roads Authority can only provide traffic signs on the public roads that comply with the road traffic regulatory provisions and the directions given in the Manual.

The same Transport Heavy font is used for Irish and English text on traffic signs. It is important that road users be aware that two distinct languages are displayed on traffic signs and be able to distinguish between the two texts and read the message from the text that is relevant to them. Irish text is displayed above any other text on a sign, is inclined to the right at an angle of 15 degrees to the vertical with the first letter of each word having a capital letter and the remaining letters in lower case. On a bilingual sign the translation of that text into English is displayed in uppercase Roman numerals underneath the Irish text.

I am satisfied with the present provisions in relation to the display of text on traffic signs and I have no proposals to amend the relevant statutory provisions.