Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I welcome the introduction of mandatory testing. On Wednesday, 17 October 2007, on foot of the Fine Gael motion on the issue the Minister changed his mind and agreed to introduce the provision. At that time it was expected that we would have the legislation within three months but it has taken more than two years to get to this point.

I support what the Minister is doing. One of the issues that arises is how the Garda will carry out the mandatory testing and enforce the regulations given the cutbacks in Garda overtime. The Department should also be dealing with other significant issues. For example, the Garda have ceased testing HGVs and some other vehicles on health and safety grounds. A number of inspections have been withdrawn because it is not safe for the Garda to carry them out, as the space is not available for such inspections on the national road network. I support what the Minister is doing, but if we are to continue to have mandatory testing we need to ensure that where the Garda stop people that it is safe and that people are pursued in a safe and proper way.

Statistics from the World Health Organisation website on the proportion of drivers in the European Union checked by the traffic police for alcohol impairment between 2003 and 2006 reveal that this country had one of the lowest levels of testing. At that time approximately 4% of drivers had been tested once and 3% had been tested more than once, whereas in many other countries the figures are approximately 26% and 38% respectively. A significant issue arises about enforcement and resources.

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