Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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587. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department regularly reviews the operation of legislation in relation to driving under the influence of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35289/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​My Department keeps road traffic legislation under constant review, and this includes legislation on driving under the influence of alcohol.

There have been major changes to drink driving legislation in recent years, particularly as a result of the Road Traffic Act 2010 which was the last time a major revision and consolidation of the primary road traffic legislation in relation to intoxicated driving was undertaken.  This legislation, which provided for lower drink driving limits and for the introduction of mandatory alcohol testing among other measures, has equipped An Garda Síochána with better tools to combat drink driving, and has helped to raise public awareness of the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol.  There was further strengthening of the law in relation to intoxicated driving in the Road Traffic Act 2011 and in the Road Traffic Act 2014. 

As you may be aware, work is progressing on the Road Traffic Bill 2015. The main focus of this Bill is to strengthen the law on driving under the influence of drugs. The drafting of this Bill is being finalised and it is my intention that this Bill will be published before the end of this year.

My Department holds regular meetings with representatives of the Garda National Traffic Bureau, at which all aspects of road traffic legislation are open to discussion, and I am always ready to respond where difficulties in the law are identified.