Vol. 555 No. 4
160 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the statistical information relating to the use of drugs by motorists; his proposals to further evaluate this threat to public safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18753/02]
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, including a drug, the Garda arranges for a sample of breath, blood or urine to be taken. The local Garda superintendent may then make a request to have the blood or urine sample analysed for drugs by the medical bureau of road safety which has responsibility for the analysis and certification of samples, as this is not capable of being performed at Garda Síochána stations. The bureau is also responsible for advancing research in this area.
Statistics in relation to prosecutions and convictions are not disaggregated according to the type(s) of intoxicant involved. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the numbers of samples sent to the medical bureau of road safety for drug analysis during the years 1996 to 2000 are as follows:
|
Year |
Number of Samples Sent for Drug Analysis |
|
1996 |
16 |
|
1997 |
24 |
|
1998 |
32 |
|
1999 |
50 |
|
2000 |
76 |
