Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Every measure that can help address the culture and reduce road deaths is welcome and must be considered. The Minister's key point is that the 50-80 mg range is being abused in some way. There were 613 fixed penalty notices issued last year. Meanwhile, more than 8,000 people were actually arrested for drink-driving. This equates to 12 or 13 times more people who were way over the limit and who were in the fixed penalty points system. I am just seeking to understand why the Minister believes the 50-80 mg range is being exploited, is not a deterrent and is not decreasing that number. Regarding the figure of 35 road deaths under the 80 mg limit, is it correct that 16 had a blood-alcohol content of between 50 mg and 80 mg and 19 were beneath the bracket and outside of the current penalty regime altogether?