A PROPOSAL to reduce speed limits by up to 20km/h is one of the options being considered in a sustainable travel plan being drawn up for Government.
The Sustainable Travel and Transport Plan, which is currently being finalised by the Department of Transport, is examining all measures that would lead to a reduction of greenhouse emissions in the transport sector.
A spokesman yesterday confirmed that a reduction in speed limits was one of the measures being considered along with many others and, at this stage, could not be ruled in or ruled out.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey is expected to bring the overall plan to Cabinet later this year with a view to implementing it from early 2009.
The case for a reduction in the limits – from 120km/h to 100km/h on motorways and 100km/h to 80km/h on all other national roads – will also be made at the next meeting of the cabinet sub-committee on climate change, according to Green Party chairman Senator Dan Boyle.
Mr Boyle said similar reductions had been successfully introduced in Spain this year. He said it had been established that lowering the limits by 20km/h would lead to a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
“There has been a shortage of [Government] measures that have an immediate and short-term effect,” he said. “The majority of measures introduced are medium to long term.”
Asked was this an implicit criticism of a coalition where colleagues are Ministers, Mr Boyle said: “What it is, is telling it like it is. There’s a strong commitment from the Green Party to a 3 per cent reduction in carbon emissions every year.
“The overall emissions figures for 2007 look like they will stay high or even higher [than those for 2006]. We need big ticket items and we need them urgently.
“I anticipate a negative reaction from the public if they are introduced. It is not a political priority of the Green Party to avoid making unpopular choices,” he said.
When asked has the suggestion been proposed to Government by the two Green Ministers, Mr Boyle said: “It is totally consistent with the type of measures that are needed. I do not think there will be any difficulty with the concept.”
A spokesman for Green Party leader and Minister for the Environment John Gormley said the matter of speed reductions was primarily for the Department of Transport. He said the Department of the Environment was not aware of a proposal at this stage. Mr Gormley believed that short-term and long-term initiatives were needed to reduce transport emissions, the spokesman said.
A Government spokesman said he was not aware of a specific proposal but added that any Minister has the right to bring a proposal to the Cabinet.
Frank Fahey, the Fianna Fáil TD who chairs the Oireachtas transport committee, argued the current speed limits were appropriate. If a lowering in speed limits led to a “significant” reduction in emissions, he said, it would then be “worthwhile for the committee to consider the matter”.
