Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 8, lines 23 and 24, to delete all words from and including "includes" in line 23 down to and including "alcohol" in line 24 and substitute the following:

"means any substance or combination of substances which affects the central nervous system, leading to changes in perception or behaviour. This includes alcohol and other drugs and any combination of drugs, whether including alcohol or not".

This arose out of an effort on Committee Stage to include a definition of "drugs" in the law. As there is no such definition it may create a loophole because a driver may argue that the substance he or she has taken was not a drug.

The definition of "intoxicant" should be changed, therefore, to any substance or combination of substances which affects the central nervous system, leading to changes in perception or behaviour. It would include alcohol, other drugs and any combination of drugs and alcohol. I hope the Minister will consider this amendment favourably.

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