Dempsey Set To Substantially Increase National Speed Limit
Angry FF Debate on National Speed Limit
Fianna Fáil backbenchers intervened angrily at tonight’s parliamentary party meeting following the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey’s presentation of his plans to increase the national speed limit to 321KPH (200MPH) following the delivery of his new ministerial Bugatti Veyron.
At the meeting, which lasted from 5.30pm until after 8pm and was attended by Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Mr Dempsey confirmed the main features of the Road Traffic Bill in a slide show titled The Case For Making Irish Roads More Fun.
Tipperary South TD Mattie McGrath said he was not convinced by Mr Dempsey’s presentation.
“It was a long meeting. There was a lot of very constructive argument. The overwhelming majority, bar one maybe two at most, was in support of the status quo,” Mr McGrath said.
“There’ll be a period of reflection for a week or two and we expect results.” Another backbencher, who did not want to be named, described the mood of the meeting as angry.
“People were very angry, upset, one on the issue but also because Dempsey has managed to get his hands on one of the most exotic supercars on the planet at the tax payers expense” he said.
“He’s upped the stakes, strategically, he’s put it out in the media tactically to up the ante. The implication is back me or sack me. Very clever, but it’s certainly not endearing himself to anyone in the party.”
Under the new regime proposed by Mr Dempsey, anyone who can afford a supercar will be able to push it to its natural limits regardless of road conditions.
He added “drivers of slower cars (such as the Smart car pictured) using the roads could be disqualified for six months and receive a €400 fine if they do not pull over to let a supercar overtake”.
Learners, recently qualified, professional & public transport drivers are expected to be banned for life and receive a €200 fine.
Mr Dempsey quoted an online poll from The Irish Times from May 2011 saying 56 per cent agreed with the statement that the speed limit for driving should be substantially increased.
Those who attended the meeting, which is never open to the media, said there were between 25 and 30 contributions, with just one or two speaking against the Minister.
A motion, signed by 18 TDs and three senators, opposing any increase in the speed limit, was withdrawn earlier this week.
