Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 668: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending the speed limit on the national motorways to 140 km/h; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35462/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Different default speed limits apply to particular categories of roads. Default speed limits are termed as "ordinary speed limits" by the Road Traffic Act 2004. There are also speed restrictions for certain classes of vehicles. As of 2007, the ordinary speed limits are as follows:

· 120 km/h for motorways

· 100 km/h for National Routes (Primary and Secondary) that are not motorway status.

· 80 km/h for local and regional roads.

· 50 km/h in built up areas.

Within these ordinary speed limits, it is a matter for the National Roads Authority and the local authorities to determine the appropriate speed limits for individual roads or sections of road in their areas of responsibility. In general, motorways in Ireland are designed for 120 kilometre per hour speeds. Given issues pertaining to road safety and climate change, I have no proposals, at present, to increase this default speed limit on national motorways.