The government is supporting a Sinn Féin bill which would allow for a 20 kilometre an hour speed limit in certain residential areas.

Minister Paschal Donohoe says the government supports the principle of the speed limit for residential areas where appropriate, and that an option of such a speed limit is to be introduced.

However, he suggests a pilot scheme to review the practicalities of a 20km an hour speed limit in certain areas and says it will be at the discretion of local authorities.

The law currently sets a default speed limit of 50 kilometres an hour in built up areas, but gives local authorities leeway to set a 30km limit where they believe it appropriate.

The Private Members Bill, being debated in the Dáil this evening, is sponsored by Deputy Dessie Ellis.

It comes as mother Roseanne Brennan and her supporters have been holding a sit-down protest outside the Dáil since Sunday to raise awareness of 'Jake's Law' - which calls for a lower speed limit of 20km to be introduced in all housing estates.

6-year-old Jake Brennan died after he was hit by a car outside his home in Kilkenny last year.

Some of those gathered at the demonstration spoke to reporters on Sunday about the campaign: