Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 272: To ask the Minister for Transport if it is his intention to make the maximum permitted blood alcohol content 0.5 mg/ml in all Member States as per the European Commission recommendation of 17 January 2001 on the maximum permitted blood alcohol content for drivers of motorised vehicles and subsequent declarations made during EU level meetings of road safety experts by the Governments of Ireland and Luxembourg that they intend to join the countries which already have this 0.5 mg/ml limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26297/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The new Road Safety Strategy for the period 2007 — 2012, which was prepared by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and published last week, identifies the need to legislate for and introduce a reduction in the legal Blood Alcohol concentration for drivers. The Government has accepted that recommendation.

The decision on the specific level to which the BAC will be lowered will follow consideration of the outcome of research being carried out by the RSA.

The target completion date in the Strategy for the reduction in the legal BAC is second quarter 2009, to allow for enactment of legislation, adaptation of enforcement technology etc. It is my intention, however, to complete the implementation of this measure earlier than that date if possible.