Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

Like my colleagues, I have no difficulty with this sensible amendment. However, we must ensure that the culture is always that there will be mandatory testing of persons involved in road accidents. In other words, that will be the normal procedure to follow except in extenuating circumstances where the life of a person is at stake. I support the provision in the amendment that testing can only be done with the approval of a doctor. However, we must ensure there are no grey areas whereby cuteness might get a person out of these types of situations. For the sake of injured persons and families who have lost loved ones in a road accident, there must be no easy way out for drivers who have consumed alcohol.

In fairness to the Minister, his proposal seems to strike the right balance. Whether there will still be loopholes is difficult to say. The message must go out clearly that in the event of an accident there will be mandatory alcohol testing. That must be done except where there is a clear danger to the life of a person, as indicated by a doctor.

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