Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 9

Written Answers. - Number of Motorists Breathalysed.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

56 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the number of motorists breathalysed and the number of cases where motorists were in excess of legally permitted levels of alcohol for December 1981, 1986 and 1991; if priority will be given to enforcement of drink/driving laws in December 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Flynn)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested is as follows:

Month/Year	Number of motorists found to be in excess of alcohol limit
December 1981	811
December 1986	784
December 1991	665

The number of motorists breathalysed in December 1991, was 6,134. No corresponding figures available for December 1981 and December 1986.

I can assure the House that the enforcement of the drink driving laws this Christmas will be as intensive as ever. I would like to say, however, that the enforcement of these laws is not just a seasonal effort but part of an ongoing year round Garda campaign aimed at discouraging drivers from driving when they have consumed more than the permitted amount of alcohol.