Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 5

Written Answers - Road Traffic Offences.

Tom Enright

Question:

201 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedure - where a person is found to have drugs in their system while driving a motor vehicle - adopted by the Garda Síochána at the Garda station, at the medical bureau and at Abbotstown Laboratory, specifically dealing with the transport of the sample between each of the respective locations mentioned. [11270/01]

Tom Enright

Question:

202 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a study by doctors at the Medical Bureau of Road Safety at University College Dublin of people driving under the influence of drugs which on an analysis of samples between July and December 2000, 37% tested positive for drugs; the action he intends taking to reduce the number of people driving under the influence of drugs here; and the steps he is taking in this regard. [11271/01]

Tom Enright

Question:

203 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who have been charged with driving under the influence of drugs contrary to section 49 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, in each of the years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. [11272/01]

Tom Enright

Question:

204 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the type of equipment which is provided for the Garda Síochána for the testing of people driving under the influence of drugs. [11273/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 to 204, inclusive, together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 165 and 166 of 22 February 2001 concerning the procedures adopted by the Garda Síochána, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety and the State Laboratory at Abbotstown in dealing with cases of suspect drug driving.

To clarify matters, the testing of samples for the presence of drugs is carried out at the State Laboratory, at Abbotstown, and that my Department has no statutory responsibility for the funding or equipment of either the Medical Bureau or the State Laboratory. Also, responsibility for all road traffic legislation including the law on driving under the influence of drugs and any question of possible legislative change, is a matter for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.

In relation to procedure, I am informed by the Garda authorities that where a person is suspected of driving or being in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, which includes a drug, a sample of breath, blood or urine is taken at the station. Where a garda is of the view that a person may be under the influence of a drug a request to have the blood or urine sample(s) analysed for drugs is sent to the Medical Bureau for Road Safety by the local superintendent.

The blood-urine sample is sent by registered post or delivered by hand to the Medical Bureau and is then forwarded to the State Laboratory for drug testing. The bureau has ultimate responsibility for analysis and the issue of certificates of analysis. I understand that internal arrangements exist between the Medical Bureau and the State Laboratory regarding the analysis and the transporting of samples.

In relation to the study by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, I understand that of the 338 samples screened, 37% were positive for drugs. Further research by the Medical Bureau on drugs and driving is being carried out in 2001 and I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda and the Medical Bureau are co-operating on a research initiative into drugs and driving. When this research is concluded it will provide important information on the type of drugs being used by drivers and a profile of the drivers themselves. A consequence of this will be the ability to target, by way of Garda enforcement initiatives, categories of drivers most likely to be involved in drug driving.

Under Operation Lifesaver the detection of drink-drug driving is a given a high priority along with speeding, seat belt offences and dangerous-careless driving offences. In relation to the number of charges for driving under the influence of drugs for the years 1996-2000, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos 167 and 168 of 22 February 2001. Statistics for prosecutions taken for drug driving are not readily available as prosecutions under section 49 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, as amended, relate to an intoxicant and statistics are not collated in a way that can distinguish between prosecutions involving alcohol, drugs or any combination of drugs or of alcohol and drugs.

In relation to equipment, I understand that there is no road-side equipment available on the market similar to the road-side breathalyser which can test for the presence of drugs. Incidentally, breath testing equipment which is used by the Garda for the testing of alcohol is tested and supplied by the Medical Bureau.

The Deputy can be assured that there will be no let up in the ongoing Garda campaign against driving under the influence of an intoxicant, including drugs.