Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drivers who have tested positive for drink driving to date in 2005; the number that have been prosecuted; the number of convictions that have been obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35736/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the medical bureau of road safety has responsibility for the analysis of blood, urine and breath specimens. The medical bureau of road safety collates and maintains a record of the results of each analysis.

I am further informed that in the period 1 January to 18 November 2005, there are 11,110 recorded incidents of driving while intoxicated, including intoxicated while in charge of a vehicle. Statistics are not compiled in such a way as to distinguish between incidents where blood, urine or breath samples in these cases exceeded the legal limit or where there was a failure or refusal to provide a blood, urine or breath specimen.

The number of prosecutions and convictions currently emanating from these 11,110 incidents is not readily available and would require a considerable amount of Garda time to compile.