Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 652: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who are trained in using breathalyser equipment in each Garda division nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14567/06]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 666: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí trained in the use of the intoxiliser breathalyser machines in each Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14663/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 666 together.

The Garda Commissioner is fully aware that I will continue to provide the necessary resources to An Garda Síochána, as requested by him, to enable them to carry out their duties in relation to our traffic laws.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are three types of breathalysers in use by An Garda Síochána — the blow-in-the-bag alcolyser, the alcometer, both of which are used for roadside breath testing, and the intoxilyser, which is installed in a number of Garda stations. The alcolyser and alcometer test for the presence of alcohol in the breath. The intoxilyser evidential breath testing instrument tests the driver's breath for the level of alcohol and eliminates the need for a doctor to take a blood or urine sample.

As at 5 April 2006, there are 2,160 members of the force trained in the use of the roadside breathalyser and 1,752 members trained in the use of the intoxilyser. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that training in the use of the roadside breathalyser and the intoxilyser continues on an ongoing basis. Training in the use of the roadside breathalyser forms part of the student training programme for all gardaí in Templemore. At present, there are 390 alcometers on issue to members in Garda district headquarters as well as the blow-in-the-bag type, which are on issue in every Garda station. The breakdown of alcometers per Garda district is set out in the following table:

The breakdown of intoxilysers per Garda station is set out in the following table:

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 653: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of hand-held devices to record penalty point offences held by the Garda; the number allocated per Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14568/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that currently there are 400 hand-held units, which record penalty point offences on issue. The following table outlines the number of hand-held units allocated to each Garda division.

I am further informed that the unit allocated to the Garda College is allocated for training purposes and is not connected to the on-line fixed charge processing system.