Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Transport the measures he is bringing forward to tackle the increasing problem of drug driving on roads here; if he has reviewed roadside drug testing schemes that are in place in Australia to evaluate their suitability for use here; the amount by which he will increase the funding for the Medical Bureau of Road Safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32530/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Driving under the influence of intoxicants, drugs as well as alcohol, is one of many key issues in road safety, and the testing of drivers in relation to drugs is already provided for in the Road Traffic Acts. A member of the Garda Síochána, 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, may require that person to go to a Garda station and further require that person to submit to a blood test or to provide a urine sample.

There is no feasible basis as yet in Ireland or in Europe for the introduction of a preliminary roadside test for drugs, as testing devices are still in the prototype stages. However, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) is keeping abreast of developments in this area and is keeping me informed on the matter. The issue of funding for the Bureau is considered each year in the context of the overall funding and resources available to my Department. I provided increased funding for the Bureau in 2008, to a total of €4.4 million, which financed its recent move to new premises in UCD Belfield, and I also increased the staff allocation. The overall Exchequer position for 2009 will influence the level of funding available for the Bureau and other agencies under my Department.