Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 February 2013
29. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether there are enough intoxilyser machines in Garda stations to implement road safety legislation on the testing of drivers involved in a serious collision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5658/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS), which is under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, has statutory responsibility for the testing, approval and supply of evidential testing machines and roadside breath testing screening devices to An Garda Síochána.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 64 evidential breath testing (intoxilyser) machines allocated by the MBRS to Garda stations nationwide. The requirement for additional machines is kept under ongoing review by the Garda authorities. In this regard the Deputy will also be aware that an Garda Síochána has requested an additional 22 intoxilyser machines from the MBRS. I am further informed that the Garda authorities and the MBRS are preparing for the roll out of the additional machines during 2013.
