Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason he has abandoned random breath testing as a key part of road safety policy. [29055/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The question of the adoption of changes in the circumstances where the driver of a vehicle can be made the subject of a preliminary roadside breath test has been the subject of considerable debate and consideration for some time. The first Government road safety strategy, which related to the period 1998 to 2002, indicated that while the Government would consider the possibility of some change to the position that prevailed in advance of the publication of that strategy, it did not envisage the adoption of the unqualified application of random breath testing by the end of the period in question. Subsequently the Road Traffic Acts were amended to provide that the gardaí are now empowered to require that all drivers involved in road collisions or detected committing any traffic offences must submit to roadside breath tests. This is in addition to the power to demand that a driver who in the opinion of a garda has consumed alcohol must submit to such a test.

The current road safety strategy recommends that the introduction of random breath testing should be pursued within its operational time frame of 2004 to 2006. Against that background my Department is examining the development of a scheme for a more general basis for roadside testing in close consultation with the Attorney General's office. My officials will continue to engage with that office to determine the most appropriate sustainable basis for broadening the current operational framework for preliminary roadside breath testing.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received the report on the outcome of the review of the national car test scheme; if so, when he received it; the main recommendations made; the action he will take on foot of this review; and the timescale involved. [29086/05]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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A final report is not yet to hand but I expect it before the end of this month at the latest. I envisage any changes arising from the report being in place from the beginning of next year.