Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce roadside drug testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11871/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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, has commenced the training of Garda trainers in the use of such impairment testing and I intend to commence Section 11 later this year.