Local authorities have been directed to review speed limits in built-up and urban areas across Ireland, to introduce 30km/h limits where appropriate by 31 March 2027.
Announcing the move, Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien said the measure supports the government's road safety strategy and its "Vision Zero" ambition to halve deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by 2030.
Councils are being asked to begin the process now and to prioritise lower limits on roads in towns and cities. The Department says lower speeds will improve safety for people walking, cycling and using scooters, and will encourage more short trips by active travel.
The Minister also confirmed €20 million in funding to help local authorities install new poles and signage to implement the changes.
Minister of State for Road Safety Seán Canney said setting "safe, appropriate" limits is key, noting, "We know that the risk of being killed or seriously injured is much greater when a car and a vulnerable road user collide at 50km/h, compared to the same type of collision at 30km/h. This is why protecting vulnerable road users is a key focus in setting speed limits."
He pointed to existing 30km/h zones in place in parts of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Dundalk and across Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, as well as many housing estates where lower limits have been introduced over the past decade.
Local authorities will implement speed limit changes through special speed-limit bylaws, rather than by altering the national default limits. Making bye-laws is a reserved function, so each council must run a statutory public consultation, and any changes will require a majority vote of elected members.
Local authority engineers will review existing limits and recommend changes in line with the updated Speed Limit Guidelines. The new limits will take effect on the dates specified in each council's bye-laws.