THE 30 kilometre restrictions on Dublin City traffic will remain in place following the failure of Dublin City Council to agree changes or a scrapping of the system last night.
During a sometimes heated debate in the council chamber last night, councillors complained their role as representatives of the people of Dublin was being usurped by the media and personalities who had opposed the new limits.
Councillor Andrew Montague (Lab), who chaired the special committee which had instigated the changes, sought an amendment to reduce the size of the zone covered and reduce its impact on the quays.
But the Labour motion that would have sought a six months public consultation on a proposal to amend the zone failed as it did not gain the required overall majority on the 52-member council.
It was supported by only 22 votes with 20 against.
Councillor Bill Tormey(FG), whose party controls the council with Labour, put forward a motion to scrap the system on the basis it created major difficulties on the quays.
A motion by Fine Gael councillor Bill Tormey to end the was defeated by 28 votes to 12.
The intense debate heard allegations the Labour Party had been trying to change the system since its leader, Eamon Gilmore and Pat Kenny of RTÉ had come out against it.
Fine Fáil Cllr Jim OCallaghan said if Labour and Fine Gael could not stand the heat of negative publicity caused by a speed limit then “God help them if they ever get into government”.
Many of the councillors complained they were weakening their own status by giving in to public opinion being expressed through the media and one, Councillor Damien O’ Farrell, said bad press was not a reason for changing the views of the council.
The speed limit will now remain in force until the original review date in July.