James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 336: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to proactively test drivers for the presence of illegal drugs in a similar manner to the successful random alcohol testing campaign which is the norm and which is an effective tool in curtailing the use and abuse of alcohol while driving [34384/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Traffic Acts provides that a member of the Garda Síochána may, where he or she is of the opinion that a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place is under the influence of a drug or drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of that vehicle, require that person to go to a Garda station and further require that person submit to a blood test or to provide a urine sample.

The Medical Bureau of Road Safety analyses blood and urine specimens received under the Road Traffic Acts for the presence of a drug or drugs. Enforcement of the law on drug driving is a matter for An Garda Síochána. When a member of the Garda suspects that a motorist is driving under the influence of any intoxicant the Garda may arrest the suspect under Section 49 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

The Department of Transport will keep under review the development of technology internationally for roadside testing for drugs. At present there is no reliable equipment available for that purpose. When suitable technology becomes available, any measures applied to the roadside testing of drivers for alcohol will also be applied in relation to drugs.