Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 13:

In page 16, before section 13, to insert the following new section:

"13—(1) The Minister may, by order, introduce mandatory testing for any intoxicant that he or she deems appropriate.

(2) In making an order under subsection (1), the Minister shall have regard to Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1994 and any regulations made under it.

(3) Any testing under regulations under this section shall be carried out in the same manner as is prescribed in section 4.".

This amendment relates to drug testing and drug driving and it would give the Minister the power to implement regulations for the drug testing of drivers. The National Advisory Council on Drugs and the chairman of the Road Safety Authority, Gay Byrne, have raised this issue in recent weeks. While I do not agree with Mr. Byrne regarding the legalisation of certain drugs, he has raised the issue of drug driving, which is also a problem in other countries. When members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport visited Australia, we saw at first hand the work being done on drug testing, particularly in regard to long distance lorry drivers who take drugs to stay awake. The Australians have successfully implemented testing for a number of drugs. Whether the Government is unwilling or unable to provide for such testing, the amendment would facilitate its introduction. I hope the Minister will seriously consider accepting it because I am sure the incidence of people driving under the influence of drugs is high. We could be well surprised by the number of accidents caused by drug driving if testing were introduced and the Minister of State should examine the proposal.

Amendment No. 20 is a technical amendment.