Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received an indication from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the length of time it will take to procure new breathalyzer equipment if the legal blood alcohol level is reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23374/08]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 414: To ask the Minister for Transport the length of time it will take to procure new breathalyser equipment if the legal blood alcohol level is reduced; when current breathalyser equipment is due to be replaced; the operational difficulties that could be expected if current breathalyser equipment is used beyond their replacement date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23229/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 414 together.

The lowering of the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels for drivers requires the recalibration or replacement and subsequent recertification of the Evidential Breath Testing (EBT) machines in Garda stations and roadside breathalysers used by the Gardaí.

The Medical Bureau of Road Safety, who has responsibility for the approval, supply and testing of apparatus for indicating the presence and the concentration of alcohol in breath, has estimated that this process would take to the end of 2009/early 2010 to complete.