I propose to take Questions Nos. 693 and 694 together.
The Government strategy on road safety 1998-2002, recognises that the influence of drugs on driving behaviour is an issue of increasing concern. Identification of the presence of drugs is, however more complex than for alcohol. A number of research programmes are being undertaken internationally in this area and the strategy commits the Government to monitoring and assessing these developments.
In order to advance research in relation to drugs and driving in Ireland, my Department has pledged additional funding, of which some £100,000 has so far been allocated, to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety to implement a two year programme of drug analysis of blood and urine specimens. The preliminary findings of this programme were recently made available by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. These findings are based on blood and urine samples submitted to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety between 1 July and 31 December 1999 which were under the legal limit for alcohol; 37% of the samples tested were screened positive for drugs, the most common being cannabis.