Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

66. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in the statewide audit of speed limits in order to address issues raised by this audit; and the efforts he has made to work with his counterparts in the Stormont Assembly to harmonise speed limits north and south in the interests of safety. [22895/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I announced last year that I had established a Group, comprising all relevant stakeholders, to carry out a review of speed limits in the country.  This Group, which is chaired by my Department, includes representatives from the local authorities, the Automobile Association, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority as well as the National Transport Authority.  Much progress has been made and I expect to receive a report from the Group shortly.  I will give careful consideration to implementing any recommendations that emerge from the Report.  This Group, which is chaired by my Department, includes representatives from the local authorities, the Automobile Association, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority as well as the National Transport Authority.  Much progress has been made and I expect to receive a report from the Group shortly.  I will give careful consideration to implementing any recommendations that emerge from the Report.   

As the Deputy will be aware, there is significant existing co-operation on road safety matters between the authorities on both sides of the border.  At the North South Ministerial Council in October 2012, Minister Attwood and I agreed a detailed timetable for the mutual recognition of penalty points in the areas of speeding, drink/drug driving, non-wearing of seatbelts and using a mobile phone while driving.  The timetable agreed will be challenging as it will require significant legislative and operational work but officials on both sides are committed to the agreed timetable. There are many complex issues that will have to be addressed in both jurisdictions with a view to establishing a workable system which is perceived as proportionate and equitable and which atttracts widespread public support throughout Ireland.

This is the immediate priority for North South legislative co-operation and harmonisation and will require considerable work. While the harmonisation of speed limits with Northern Ireland would obviously be desirable there are significant complications to be addressed to arrive at this position, mainly the fact that speed limits in the North are set in imperial measurement units, while we use the metric system of measurement.