James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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599. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the maximum sentence for drink driving from ten years to 14 years in line with the UK laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39722/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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At present, the maximum penalty for drink driving offences is six months in prison and a fine of up to €5,000.  There is also a consequential disqualification which is based on a scale, depending on the level of alcohol and whether or not it is a first offence.  Disqualifications on this scale range from a minimum of 6 months to a minimum of 6 years.

The 10-year sentence to which the Deputy refers is for dangerous driving causing death or serious injury.  In this case the maximum penalty is 10 years and/or a fine of up to €20,000.  There is also a disqualification of at least 4 years in the case of a first offence and at least 6 years in the case of a second or subsequent offence.  I would remind the Deputy that these disqualification periods are the minimum - a lifetime ban is a possibility, at the discretion of the Judge, having regard to the facts of the case.

While there are no plans at present to extend the imprisonment term for drink driving offences, road traffic law is constantly under review.