Ms Velma Burns:

Let me make a point of clarification. In recent years we have consistently seen approximately one in ten drivers admit to drinking and driving. I support the point Ms Murdock makes in that regard.

A question was asked about some of the other measures the Road Safety Authority was implementing to tackle the issue of drink driving. We have a couple of other measures which are articulated in the Government's road safety strategy. For example, we are looking at the introduction of alco-locks as a sanction for repeat offenders. We are also looking at the introduction of rehabilitation programmes. These measures are specifically targeted at high risk offenders and those who are consuming alcohol at higher levels. This is a highly complex group and the issue is separate from that which we are discussing. International research shows that it is difficult to change the behaviour of high risk offenders because in many cases alcohol dependence is involved. As such, we are almost straying into the realm of public health.

The proposed Bill has the potential to be an easy win for us because it is easier to change the behaviour of motorists who take a chance by having a couple of drinks. It is at lower blood alcohol levels of 80 mg, below which we believe we can save lives because the proposed measure would have a strong deterrent effect. It makes a big difference for motorists who are considering getting behind the wheel after drinking two or three pints if they know that, instead of getting a couple of penalty points and a fine, they would potentially be put off the road for three months, which would change their ability to go about their daily lives and do their job. This has a strong deterrent effect and we know from international research that licence withdrawal is a very effective measure in deterring drink driving. The effectiveness of the proposal is substantiated by international research. As Ms Murdock indicated, Sweden is a good example. It has consistently had one of the best road safety records in Europe in recent years. It has a lower drink driving limit than Ireland and a phased disqualification system which starts from a 30 mg blood alcohol level. It is only one example of a country that is doing this.