Seanad debates

Wednesday, 14 June 2006

Road Traffic Bill 2006: Committee Stage.

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

To respond to Senator Quinn's point, I do not know the position on compulsory testing at the scene of an accident in other countries. If that is the position, it does not necessarily follow that we would adopt that position. I am satisfied that if one is ill, what is paramount at that stage is the health and well-being of the individual. If a test is required, it can be carried out in the hospital.

Senator Quinn appreciates the thinking behind this measure. There is no question of having legislation in place which would allow anyone to escape if he or she was drinking and involved in an accident.

I wish to make one further effort to deal with the question of the flexibility or rigidity of the mandatory alcohol testing. The whole purpose of such testing is that it must be proportionate to the problem and the question is one of who makes that call. It is not for us to call that in legislation. We must leave that to the discretion of the Garda. The Garda Commissioner will draw up guidelines in consultation with his colleagues.

It is not a question of putting it up in red letters that there will be a mandatory alcohol test at some point on the road between Dublin and Naas, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The inspector or relevant garda from the rank of inspector can do this at short notice. At times it might be an impromptu decision. If it happens it is because the gardaĆ­ in that district or subdistrict feel it is proper to do this.

The legislation should be enacted by the summer and I hope not too many will suffer as a result of this. This will be a major deterrent to the too many people who drive having consumed alcohol. When the system is in place its deterrent effect should result in fewer people being caught. This will prove its effectiveness and that people are observing the rules. Hopefully, this will lead to a drastic reduction in the excessive number of fatalities we are experiencing. Many of those fatalities are the result of drink driving.

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