Speed limits to be reviewed

All speed limits on Irish roads are to be reviewed as part of a major audit to ensure limits on the national road network are safe and sensible.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar said the initiative was designed to further reduce road fatalities which reached a record low of 185 deaths in 2011.

Transport sources indicated the 80km/h limit on many minor rural roads could be reduced.

Mr Varadkar said the aim was to overhaul inconsistencies between different counties and regions which had resulted in confusion for motorists.