Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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102. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of fines issued to motorists apprehended having more than 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood but less than 80 mg, for each year since the measure was introduced under the Road Traffic Act 2012 in tabular form. [7768/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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With effect from 27 October, 2011 certain offences contrary to Sections 4 and 5, Road Traffic Act, 2010 (i.e. driving, or attempting to drive, or in-charge of a vehicle while, under the influence of an intoxicant) may be dealt with by way of Fixed Penalty Notice, in lieu of the commencement of criminal proceedings, for persons deemed suitable by the Regulations.

The following table shows the number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued to persons arrested having been recorded as having in excess of 50mgs of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, but less than 80mgs, for the period 2011 (October) to date in 2017 (valid to 12 February 2017).

These figures include both specified drivers (i.e. learner, novice and ‘professional’ drivers) and non-specified drivers. The penalties provided for by way of Fixed Penalty Notice for offenders detected in this category is €200 fine + 3 penalty points affixed to your licence in the case of non-specified drivers, and €200 fine + disqualified from driving for a period of 3 months for specified drivers.

The Deputy may be aware that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport announced that his Department will review Section 29 of the Road Traffic 2010 with the intention of ensuring that all drivers, if caught drink driving, will, in future, receive a mandatory disqualification. Specifically, it is intended that those non-specified drivers detected driving between 50mg and 80mg will receive a 3-month disqualification from driving instead of 3 penalty points currently provided for in Section 29. Replacing the 3 penalty points with a 3-month disqualification is considered appropriate and proportionate in line with the other disqualification periods provided for in Section 29. This option would allow for the continuation of the administrative option for penalising drink driving offences but would result in alldrink driving offences under section 29 receiving a disqualification of 3 – 6 months. I support Minister Ross's intention to amend section 29 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, which should assist us in ensuring more effective enforcement of road traffic offences and making our roads safer. My Department will continue to assist the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in bringing these changes forward.