Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Transport when he will publish the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2010 to legislate for mandatory alcohol testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42669/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Traffic Act 2010 provides for the introduction of mandatory breath testing of drivers by An Garda Síochána in certain circumstances, including where a Garda attends at the scene of a collision where injury has been caused. Because of the inter-relationship between the section of the Act that introduces mandatory breath testing and other drink driving related sections of the Act, it is now clear it will not be possible to commence this section until the new apparatus to measure the reduced levels of blood alcohol concentration has been procured.

However to overcome this difficulty it is my intention to introduce mandatory breath testing at an earlier date and officials in my Department and are currently in discussions on a number of legal drafting issues with the Office of the Attorney General, to seek to finalise a Bill in this regard.