Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister accept the recommendations and will they be implemented in full? This applies particularly to the reduction of the blood-alcohol content limit to 20 milligrams for drivers of buses, taxis and commercial vehicles as this is very important. Does the Minister, like me, receive representations from the vintners' federation and associations around Ireland? Everybody accepts that the blood-alcohol content limit must be reduced, as is recommended in the report, but does the Minister feel we should reduce vehicle registration tax, VRT, to make it attractive to publicans to provide transport for customers to and from the pub? I understand the Road Safety Authority would not be against providing special training for such drivers. Another view is that a special public service vehicle, PSV, licence could be issued to such publicans to help get people home, particularly in rural areas. This is an issue that has been brought to my attention and could be dealt with while simultaneously reducing the blood-alcohol content limit to the recommended level.

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