Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 828: To ask the Minister for Transport his proposals to introduce random breath testing for motorists (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40208/05]

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 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.

I met the chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and all the party spokespersons for a discussion focused solely on this issue late last year at which I outlined the legal concerns as I understand them. I am endeavouring to find an approach to this issue which crosses party boundaries. In the meantime, the gardaí are 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 limiting power to demand that a driver who in the opinion of a garda has consumed alcohol must submit to such a test.