Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 1425: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans in relation to the examination and evaluation of all speed limit signs here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18868/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under Action 35 of the Road Safety Strategy, 2007-2012, my Department is committed to auditing and reporting on the appropriateness and consistency of speed limits across the road network at regular intervals. The audit is designed to examine and improve, where necessary and appropriate, the application by local authorities of speed limits and speed limit signage throughout the country, in accordance with my Department's "Guidelines for the Application of Special Speed Limits" which issued to all road authorities last year.

In this regard, I recently announced that a review of speed limits would be initiated in 2012. The primary objective of the review is to improve the consistency of application of speed limits nationwide so as to contribute to a reduction in speeding, which is a key cause of road collisions and fatalities. My Department is in the process of establishing a stakeholder Working Group. The Automobile Association, an Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority and the National Transport Authority have been invited to participate on the Working Group. It is also intended that local authorities will be represented on the Group. The Group will monitor an audit of the appropriateness and consistency of special speed limits, oversee consultation on possible changes to default speed limits and advise on the extent to which more appropriate signage can assist in reducing road fatalities. It is planned that the first meeting of the Group will take place in the coming weeks and that substantial progress will have been made by the end of 2012.