asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals he has for the amendment of the Road Traffic Acts bearing in mind, in particular, the present anomalous situation relative to those sections dealing with drunken driving.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Traffic Acts.
34.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Question Nos. 7 and 34 together.
I am not yet in a position to announce proposals in this matter, but I hope to be able to do so in the near future. In the meantime, of course, the Garda are continuing to use section 49 of the Act of 1961, in the case of driving while under the influence of drink.
The Minister suggested recently at a public function that he had some ideas about introducing legislation. Is he aware there is evidence to show that, since the lapsing of this test, the number of fatalities and serious road accidents has increased? Could we elicit from him when we might be likely to see the proposed Bill?
What the Deputy is looking for is what is contained in the Bill. If he asks what I have in mind, I have no intention of disclosing to him at this stage what is contained in the Bill.
Has the Minister something in mind?
I have and in due course, in the very near future, it will be before the Government. The Deputy will not get the information before the Government, as he can well understand. The Bill will be introduced within the course of a few weeks.