Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 466: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the tender process that is currently taking place for new intoxilyser machines for use by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety to facilitate the introduction of mandatory testing after a serious road collision; if just one tender process is taking place for the next intoxilyser machines; the total number of intoxilyser machines that have been tendered for; the deadline for the submission of tender applications and the date when the tender will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1299/11]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) is at an advanced stage of the tender process for an evidential breath testing instrument to replace the existing instrument.

The tender is for the supply of up to 100 instruments. 86 are to be installed in Garda stations and the remainder will be used for training and swap out purposes.

The procurement process began in July 2010 and the deadline for the submission for tenders was 1 December 2010.

I understand from the MBRS that it expects to award the contract in the coming weeks.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 467: To ask the Minister for Transport if the Medical Bureau of Road Safety replaces roadside breathalyzers that are returned to them every six months by the gardaí for recaliberation; if Garda stations are ever left without any roadside breathalyzers when they have been sent to the MBRS for recaliberation; if the MBRS will be provided with enough breathalyser machines to allow all breathalyzers to be replaced when machines are with the MBRS for recaliberation when the compulsory testing law is implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1300/11]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that an agreed arrangement exists between the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) and the Gardaí regarding the return and reissue of breathalyzer devices on a 6 monthly basis.

The allocation of individual devices is a matter for the Gardai, as the devices are issued and returned to Traffic Divisions and Garda stations.

The MBRS has issued the number of devices requested by the Gardai.

The MBRS has currently allocated approximately 1000 devices and at any one time well over 90% of these devices should be in operation, the remainder are either ready for issue or being tested or recalibrated.

Each year the MBRS purchases additional devices to replace devices which are beyond repair or lost in order to maintain a level of approximately 1000 devices available to the Gardaí.