Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not condone drink-driving. Nearly every Member of this Dáil does not condone it. The laws in place should be strongly enforced by the Garda and the judicial system. Of course,any death on the roads is one too many. This point is particularly true when one considers the lives lost as a result of drink-driving. The Minister was before the the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport for days when it was considering the Bill. I will read a section of its report: "Based on the evidence presented to date, some Members of the Joint Committee believe that the proposed amendment to the penalties applicable to drink driving could possibly be regarded as disproportionate," - the word "disproportionate" is very important - "particularly so in rural areas of the country where access to public transport services is limited." That is one thing the Minister never took on board. I am a rural Deputy and, as such, represent the people of rural Ireland. This measure is disproportionate. The laws in place until now, if implemented, were sufficient to stop anything from happening.

It is illegal to drink and drive under the current legislation. Fianna Fáil introduced mandatory testing and supported legislation that decreased alcohol limits to among the lowest in Europe. The Bill seeks to introduce an automatic three-month disqualification for those found driving with a blood alcohol level of 50 mg to 80 mg. The offence is currently punishable with three penalty points, provided the offender is not a learner or professional driver and has not previously been found guilty of the offence within the preceding three years. That covers a lot. The Minister has portrayed the legislation as a catch-all Bill that will prevent more people from drinking and driving. Fianna Fáil does not condone drink-driving, as I said, nor are we prisoners to the Vintner's federation as the Minister wrongly alleged. I refute that charge. I speak for those in rural Ireland who I represent. I refute that I am a spokesman for the Vintners Association, as if I were on its payroll. I hate to be branded as a person who speaks for vintners-----

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