asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a newspaper report (details supplied) of references to the Road Traffic Act, 1968, which is alleged to be defective; if he will suitably amend the Act, and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Traffic Legislation.
159.
I have seen the newspaper report referred to by the Deputy, which related to proceedings brought for offences of driving while the concentration of alcohol in the blood exceeded the statutory limit of 125 milligrammes.
The legal procedures in this matter are laid down partly in Part V of the Road Traffic Act, 1968, and partly in regulations made under the Act. The procedures laid down are comprehensive and fairly complicated, but necessarily so in my view because of the serious nature of the offences involved, the penalties which follow on conviction, the relatively new concept of blood/alcohol level as evidence of an offence and the need to build in adequate safeguards for persons charged with these offences. All these factors were very much to the forefront when the legislation was being framed.
The House may rest assured, however, that the operation of the 1968 Act is being kept under review and I will not hesitate to introduce amending legislation if it is clear that such is necessary.