Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The purpose of this amendment is to reduce the legal thresholds of the amount of alcohol a person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle may consume before he or she is committing an offence. It would introduce a reduced blood alcohol level for drivers on provisional licences. For the sake of clarification I point out there is an offence relating to drink driving that does not refer to any particular level of alcohol having been consumed. That is often forgotten.

Road safety policy is pursued within the framework of the road safety strategy adopted by the Government. The current strategy does not promote a reduction in current alcohol levels. The focus of the strategy is on compliance with the current thresholds, which were established in the Road Traffic Act 1994. That is the immediate focus of this Bill.

This is the correct approach at this stage. I would not rule out a move to change the overall approach to alcohol levels at some stage. However, such a move should await the implementation and enforcement of other provisions being promoted in this Bill and the achievement of compliance with the current legal framework for drink driving.

I agree with the thrust of Deputy Shortall's comments, and the intent of the Bill centres on enforcement. The clear and significant level of enforcement is a key component of the Bill. Points have been made about some countries which have tried to enforce a zero alcohol limit for new, learner or young drivers, and that seems to be working well. I indicated that this was a good idea worth considering. People have contacted me from the equality sector, regarding discriminatory behaviour etc. who have argued that it would be appalling to enforce such a limit on younger or inexperienced drivers.

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