Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

94. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of mandatory alcohol testing checkpoints performed in each of the years 2012 to 2016; the number of breath tests performed; and the number of driver under the influence incidents in each year. [11252/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Mandatory Alcohol Checkpoints allow members of An Garda Síochána to stop any vehicle at the checkpoint and, without prejudice to any other legislative provisions, may require a person in charge of the vehicle to provide a specimen of his or her breath to indicate the presence of alcohol in the breath, which is provided for under section 10, Road Traffic Act, 2010, as amended.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the apparatus used by An Garda Síochána for breath-testing is issued, and maintained, by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety.

In July, 2015 a review of 'Recording Equipment and Data on PULSE (Traffic related matters)' was undertaken by An Garda Síochána, during the course of which the number of breath tests at Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT) checkpoints recorded on the PULSE system, for the period 1st July 2009 to the 31st December 2014, was compared to data recorded on the equipment issued, to each Division, for breath-testing. The preliminary outcome of this review identified an anomaly, between the number of breath tests recorded on PULSE and the number of breath tests recorded on the recording equipment.

In April 2016, new procedures were put in place by An Garda Síochána for the recording of the number of breath tests conducted at each MAT checkpoint, with additional instructions issued in May, 2016, including that the information being recorded on PULSE be verified on a monthly basis.

In June 2016, a National Audit was directed by Assistant Commissioner, Traffic, of all the data recorded on the Garda PULSE system relating to the number of roadside breath tests conducted at MATs in each Garda Division, for the period 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2016. The data collated during the National Audit is currently being verified in conjunction with the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. It is anticipated that the matter will be finalised in the second quarter of 2017 and it will not be possible to give the statistical information sought until the data has been verified by way of the National Audit.

The Garda authorities have assured me that no issues stem from this audit with regard to the performance of MAT checkpoints or prosecutions emanating therefrom.