Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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There were 19 in the 21-50 mg range and 16 in the 51-80 mg range. The message we are trying to send out is that everybody detected will be disqualified. I am not making a distinction. The whole point is to make no distinction. There is a distinction in quality and degree, but I am trying to abolish the distinction to make it acceptable. I am trying to tell people they should not do it and that if they do, they will be put off the road. That is the whole point I am trying to make to the Deputy. I am not saying there is a degree to this. Those who drink and are over the limit while driving will be disqualified. I do not want any other message to go out. That is it - full stop. I do not want to play around with figures in any way. I do not want people to think they can drive after having a pint or two pints. I do not want anyone to be able to say it will be fine, he or she will take three penalty points and €200 and then be back on the road. That is a totally unsuitable sentence for such behaviour when one's driving is impaired. That is the point we are trying to make. It is quite simple. That distinction should be abolished. I know the reasons it was introduced in 2010, I think they were wrong and I think there was political pressure. We are seeking to remove this kind of leniency for people which exists for no good reason.