Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to detail the research conducted, and stakeholders consulted, ahead of the proposal to reduce speed limits; if there will be any exceptions to the reduction of speed limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39589/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As part of Action 6 of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy a review was undertaken to examine the framework for setting of speed limits in Ireland including specific consideration of the introduction of a 30km/h default speed limit in urban areas. The group was established in later 2021.

The review group, as part of its work carried out an assessment of the existing framework of speed limits including the current guidance document for the ‘Setting and Managing of Speed Limits in Ireland’. The group also looked at best practice internationally as well as carrying out a modelling analysis of potential options.

This review is complete and published with an implementation plan to be prepared to progress the recommendations of the review. As a priority the Guidelines for Managing Speed Limits in Ireland will be updated.

As part of the review the group built upon the consultation undertaken as part of the development of the current road safety strategy consulted with a range of stakeholders. These stakeholders covered both state bodies involved in the management of the road network, but also a range of user groups from road transport groups to those relating to cycling and active travel. As the Guidelines are developed and implementation progresses further consultations will occur.

The Road Traffic Act of 2004, as amended, sets out the current legislative basis for the setting of speed limits. The Act applies ‘default’ speed limits to different classes or categories of road and allows for local authorities to intervene and set ‘special speed limits’, within limitations, on roads in their area. The making of bye-laws to set 'Special Speed Limits' is a reserved function of the elected members of a local authority.

In Ireland speed limits are set through a combination of default speed limits that apply and by ‘special speed limits’ as defined in the Guidelines for Managing Speed Limits in Ireland. Exceptions are permitted in relation to existing and future guidelines to aid local decision making to ensure that set speed limits will align with the prevailing conditions of specific sections of the road network.