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

Question 548: To ask the Minister for Transport if Garda breathalysers are able to detect motorists' blood alcohol levels between 20 mg and 80 mg; if all breathalyser equipment would need to be re-calibrated if there is a change in the legal blood alcohol limit; the amount it will cost to re-calibrate all the breathalyser equipment in use by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1561/09]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The roadside breathalysers in use by the Gardaí are calibrated to detect the presence of alcohol in the breath of drivers in relation to the limits set out in current legislation, ie 35 micrograms of alcohol per millilitre of breath. The introduction of a reduced Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels for drivers will require the recalibration or replacement and subsequent recertification of both the roadside breathalysers and Evidential Breath Testing (EBT) machines in Garda stations.

The Medical Bureau of Road Safety, which has responsibility for the approval, supply and testing of apparatus for indicating the presence and the concentration of alcohol in breath, has estimated that it would take into early 2010 to complete such a process, and has yet to determine the associated costs.