Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 309: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of specimens tested by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety in 2003; the breakdown of these which were taken from blood or urine samples; the number of persons who tested positive for drugs and who were successfully prosecuted in the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18231/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Details relating to the number of specimens tested by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety are published by the bureau in their annual reports. The most recent report is in respect of 2003 and that report, along with reports relating to previous years, are available in the Oireachtas Library. The bureau's 2003 annual report shows that a total of 11,332 blood, urine and breath specimens were analysed for alcohol concentration during that year. This number includes 3,733 blood and urine specimens. The Bureau tested 416 specimens for the presence of a drug or drugs in 2003. Of those, 179 specimens were confirmed as being positive in respect of the presence of drugs. Matters relating to prosecutions in the courts are a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.