Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 1

Written Answers. - Drink Driving Offence Penalties.

Nora Owen

Question:

77 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for the Environment his views on whether, in the case of a driver, found to be in excess of the 80 milligram limit for blood alcohol, a sliding scale of punishment would be considered, so that the person found with one or two milligrams over the limit would not be treated in the same way as someone found with a much greater amount, such as 100 milligrams.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

This issue was raised during the debate in the Dáil on the Road Traffic Bill, 1993 and I outlined my views on the matter at that stage. I refer to the Official Report, Vol. 435, No. 10, 17 November 1993 (columns 1981 and 1982).