The Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore says a 30 kilometre an hour speed limit in city centres is impractical.

The new limit controversially came into effect in Dublin this week, it’s slated for Cork by next Christmas, and Galway city council has also proposed introducing it in the future.

A Labour Councillor was behind the original proposal in Dublin.

But his party leader told Breakfast here on Newstalk it’s not a good idea.

“I accept it was done for good reasons, reasons of safety and so on” he said.

“I think it’s impractical; I’m not sure it’s even a good safety measure because trying to stay under 30 kilometres an hour means you’re probably spending more time looking at the clock than you are at the road” he added.