Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress in bringing forward legislation to introduce mandatory alcohol testing as was promised in a Dáil Éireann motion in October 2007 and to the PARC organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3435/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Following representations received from various bodies, including PARC, my Department has consulted the Office of the Attorney General as to how current legislation can be achieved to achieve compulsory roadside testing for intoxicants of drivers involved in serious collisions.

The current position is that a member of An Garda Síochána may require a driver involved in a collision to provide a preliminary breath specimen. This discretion is provided in acknowledgement of the fact that urgent medical attention for seriously injured victims must take precedence over breath testing.

The Attorney General has now advised on possible amendments to legislation, which continue to take overriding medical circumstances into account and my officials continue to engage, with that office on this matter. These will be considered in the context of a proposed new Road Traffic Bill which I hope to bring to Government later this year.