Michael Collins warns speed limit cuts risk regional economy
Michael Collins raised concerns about new speed limit reductions, warning they risk widespread economic damage and calling for local consultation. The minister defended the reforms as life-saving, saying speed is central to road deaths and that local authorities will coordinate amendments.
Michael Collins said local routes were reduced from 80 to 60 kilometres per hour and that change was largely accepted, but he warned regional routes are now being cut from 100 to 80 or from 80 to 60, creating serious concerns across constituencies.
He urged a national discussion in independent Ireland, asked for time to consider the measures, and insisted that public representatives - council members, TDs and senators - should have a say on what happens in their constituencies.
The minister responded that the reforms around speed limits will make a serious difference in saving lives, arguing that speed is the central factor in many road deaths and that reductions have an evidence base. He said he had taken on board recommendations while in the role as Minister of State for Transport.
The minister added there is a role for local authorities to amend speed limits where appropriate, and that the outworking of the changes will be coordinated by local authorities this year.
Speed limit changes in question
Michael Collins said local routes were reduced from 80 to 60 kilometres per hour and that change was largely accepted, but he warned regional routes are now being cut from 100 to 80 or from 80 to 60, creating serious concerns across constituencies.
Call for discussion and local input
He urged a national discussion in independent Ireland, asked for time to consider the measures, and insisted that public representatives - council members, TDs and senators - should have a say on what happens in their constituencies.
Minister's safety argument
The minister responded that the reforms around speed limits will make a serious difference in saving lives, arguing that speed is the central factor in many road deaths and that reductions have an evidence base. He said he had taken on board recommendations while in the role as Minister of State for Transport.
Role of local authorities and next steps
The minister added there is a role for local authorities to amend speed limits where appropriate, and that the outworking of the changes will be coordinated by local authorities this year.
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Transcript
We would like a discussion in independent Ireland in relation to the new speed limits that are causing serious concerns in parts all over the country. They went down from 80 to 60 kilometres on the local routes, which most people accepted. But now we're being told that the regional routes, which is the main routes into a lot of our constituencies, are going from 100 to 80 or from 80 to 60. And if that is to continue, it will cause widespread damage to our economy. And it cannot be a logo hit. And there has to be discussion. Yes, there is black spots. We fully accept that. But what we ask is time here. And at least let the public representatives, let they be council or TDs or senators, have some say on what's going to happen in our constituencies. Deputy Collins, on your point on speed limits, I think the reforms that have been introduced around speed limits in this country will make a serious difference on saving lives on our roads. We know that speed is the central factor to so many of the road debts across the country. That's why when I was in the role as Minister of State for Transport, we took on board the recommendations to reduce speed limits, particularly on local rural roads from 80 kilometres per hour to 60 kilometres per hour, because it will make a difference and it has an evidence base. There is a role for the local authorities as well to amend speed limits where appropriate. And the outworking of that has to take place. And it will be coordinated by local authorities this year. Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Minister.