Paragraph 28 of Schedule 3 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 lists "Units of measurement and United Kingdom primary standards" as a reserved function. My understanding is that Stormont can pass legislation concerning "reserved matters", but that the Northern Ireland Minister has the authority to revoke such legislation. In the case of units of measure, he would be required to revoke legislation concerning units of measurement that are not consistent with the relevant EU directives. So to answer your question - the NI Parliament has the authority to adopt metric units on roads provided that their proposal is consistent with EU directives and Westminster does nothing to block the legislation.
Martin From: USMA [mailto:usma-boun...@colostate.edu] On Behalf Of Peter Goodyear Sent: 25 April 2016 09:04 To: USMA List Server Subject: [USMA 180] Metric road signs in Northern Ireland? At the Sinn Féin <http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/too-many-chiefs-in-fire-service-sinn-f%C3%A9in-ardfheis-hears-1.2622404> adfheis* in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, there was a motion to ask Northern Ireland to introduce the metric system for all traffic signs. (Scroll down to the bottom of the article.) Delegates also voted for the creation of an all Ireland body to standardise speed limits and road traffic signs. During the session on the environment, delegates also voted to call on the North’s authorities to introduce the metric system “for all traffic and related road signage to bring it in line with the rest of the island”. Does anyone know if this is one of the areas where Northern Ireland has freedom to make its own laws? This has been posted on Reddit’s metric forum. Comments will be here. <https://www.reddit.com/r/Metric/comments/4g1nql/progress_at_last_on_vehicle_dimension_signs/> *Irish Nationalist Party annual conference Regards, Peter Goodyear Melbourne, Australia
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