Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for testing drivers for drugs as provided for in the Road Safety Act 2010; when the testing will start; the number and location of gardaí who have been trained for such testing; if he has satisfied himself that persons who are on legal medication will not be detained, arrested or prosecuted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3262/11]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Enforcement of the law on drug driving is a matter for An Garda Síochána. Currently, where a member of the Garda Síochána 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, he or she 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. The influence of drugs, including legal medication, on driving behaviour is an issue of increasing concern but the process of identifying the presence of drugs is more complex than it is for alcohol.

As yet, there is still no feasible basis for the introduction of a preliminary roadside test for drugs in Ireland or in Europe. Testing devices are still in the prototype stages but the Medical Bureau of Road Safety will be keeping abreast of developments in this area.

In the interim, section 11 of the 2010 Road Traffic Act, provides for preliminary impairment testing. This provision will assist Gardaí in forming the opinion that a driver is under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle. The Medical Bureau of Road Safety, in association with the School of Medicine UCD, will be responsible for providing the relevant training to Gardaí. It is hoped to commence the training of Garda trainers in the coming months with the commencement, thereafter, of Section 11.