Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 292: To ask the Minister for Transport when he intends to update the rules of the road booklet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7815/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department has engaged the services of a consultant to facilitate this review. It is the intention to publish a new Rules of the Road booklet in draft form by mid-year and to invite comments or submissions thereon. The new booklet would then be finalised in the autumn.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 293: To ask the Minister for Transport if a consent to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety has been provided, pursuant to section 38(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1968, for the supply by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety of an apparatus for indicating the presence of alcohol and determining the concentration of alcohol in the breath of drivers; and the form the consent took. [7836/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Road Traffic Act 1994 provided for the introduction of a scheme of evidential breath testing based on the use of apparatus for determining the concentration of alcohol in a sample of breath. The Act provides that drivers may be required to undergo a breath test in a Garda station, instead of a blood or urine test, following arrest for drink driving.

Section 38(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1968, as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1994, provides that the Medical Bureau of Road Safety may, with the consent of the Minister, arrange for the supply and testing of apparatus for indicating the presence of alcohol in the breath and apparatus for determining the concentration of alcohol in the breath.

The Minister for Transport, who bears general responsibility for the Road Traffic Acts, and his predecessor in that regard, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, is represented on the board of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety.

In addition, the Minister provides for the determination of the funding allocation to the bureau. Such funding includes approval to provide for the supply and testing of the relevant apparatus as required.

The evidential breath testing system was introduced with effect from November 1999. This reflected a commitment given in the Government's Road Safety Strategy 1998-2002. Regulations to prescribe the form of the statements produced by the apparatus were made by the then Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government on 20 October 1999.

The system was formally launched by the then Minister of State on 24 November 1999.