Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2010
92 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding plans for mandatory alcohol testing at accident scenes; when legislation will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6586/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra131 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Transport when the Road Traffic Bill 2009 will return to Dáil Éireann; the amendments he will submit; his views on submissions from road safety campaigners that he strengthen measures in the Bill to facilitate the mandatory testing of drivers at all road collisions; the position regarding the recalibration or replacement of breathalyzer and evidential breath testing machines in the context of the Road Traffic Bill 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6419/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 131 together.
I am currently awaiting return of the Bill to the Dáil for Second Stage consideration. The Bill includes a provision for the mandatory testing for alcohol of drivers involved in road traffic collisions, where an injury is caused to another person that requires medical assistance. That provision meets a commitment I have made on a number of occasions following representations from various road safety campaigners. Any necessary amendments to the Bill will be considered at Committee Stage. The Medical Bureau of Road Safety has commenced the procurement process for the new EBT instruments, following which the new instruments will then be evaluated and tested by the Bureau over a six month period.
