Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 4

Written Answers. - Road Traffic Offences.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

492 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who have been guilty of drink driving in each county for 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and to date in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22363/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The figures for the number of arrests and convictions for drink driving offences for each of the years 1997 to 2001 are set out below. The figures for 2002 and 2003 are not yet available. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the statistics sought by the Deputy are not compiled on a county by county basis and that they would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to compile which could not be justified.

Year	Number of Arrests	Number of Convictions
1997	7,541	4,379
1998	8,707	5,756
1999	9,570	5,853
2000	10,433	6,593
2001	12,841	6,790

It is clear that drink driving continues to present a major challenge. We still have a problem with drivers who see fit to risk their own lives, and those of others, by engaging in driving while intoxicated. However, the statistics strongly indicate that the increased level of enforcement by the Garda Síochána over recent years is having a positive effect upon road casualties. The annual report of the Garda Síochána for 2001, shows that the 12,841 arrests made in 2001 represented a 70% increase over the number recorded in 1997, and 23% higher than the corresponding figure for 2000.