Robert Troy
Ceist:281. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of roadside drug tests taken since the introduction of this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5338/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 5 February 2019
Ceisteanna (281)
Freagraí scríofa
The Deputy will appreciate that I have no direct role in the operation of Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints, or the enforcement of road traffic legislation, which are operational matters for the Garda Commissioner. However, I have sought a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to the requested statistics.
I will contact the Deputy directly on receipt of said report.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question 281 of 5 February 2019, in which the Deputy asked for information pertaining to the number of roadside drug tests taken since the introduction of MIT testing.
The Deputy may recall I requested a Garda report into the matter, which is now to hand. An Garda Síochána have informed me that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of their day-to-day duties. Both day-to-day enforcement and targeted campaigns have a valuable role to play in An Garda Síochána’s enforcement programme, which targets locations with a view to preventing the commission of offences, detecting errant motorists, changing their behaviour and ultimately reducing death and injury on our roads. Garda operations specifically target road use behaviour known to contribute significantly to collisions, including speeding, driving while intoxicated, and use of a mobile phone.
The number of Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints conducted nationally, from its introduction on 13 April 2017 to 5 February 2019 was 124,355. An Garda Síochána has actively prioritised the performance of more focussed MIT checkpoints that have the capacity to yield the greatest impact, and allow for more effective enforcement.
The table shows the number of MIT checkpoints conducted by division; the number of breath tests and oral fluid tests conducted; the number of persons who have tested positive for alcohol or drugs at these checkpoints; and the number who failed or refused to provide a specimen after detection.
|
Garda Division |
Number of MIT Checkpoints conducted 2017- year to date 2019 |
Roadside Breath Tested Conducted |
No of positive Roadside Breath Tests |
Roadside Oral Fluid Tested Conducted |
No of positive Oral Fluid Tests |
Failure / Refusal breath Test |
Failure / Refusal Oral Fluid Test |
|
Garda Division |
Number of MIT Checkpoints conducted 2017- year to date 2019 |
Roadside Breath Tested Conducted |
No of positive Roadside Breath Tests |
Roadside Oral Fluid Tested Conducted |
No of positive Oral Fluid Tests |
Failure / Refusal breath Test |
Failure / Refusal Oral Fluid Test |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
4,113 |
14,750 |
128 |
93 |
23 |
3 |
1 |
|
Clare |
6,727 |
28,452 |
94 |
215 |
32 |
3 |
- |
|
Cork City |
10,421 |
28,061 |
137 |
76 |
11 |
- |
- |
|
Cork North |
11,862 |
25,942 |
103 |
91 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cork West |
10,272 |
24,445 |
142 |
185 |
24 |
- |
- |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
1,090 |
15,276 |
93 |
201 |
14 |
4 |
- |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
920 |
10,622 |
49 |
98 |
18 |
2 |
- |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
827 |
12,847 |
75 |
119 |
11 |
1 |
- |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
796 |
19,960 |
63 |
130 |
10 |
- |
- |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
982 |
19,777 |
78 |
184 |
23 |
- |
- |
|
D.M.R. Western |
1,737 |
15,695 |
114 |
207 |
20 |
- |
- |
|
Donegal |
3,967 |
20,981 |
99 |
60 |
3 |
1 |
- |
|
Galway |
8,515 |
33,508 |
210 |
22 |
5 |
1 |
- |
|
Kerry |
5,470 |
17,271 |
93 |
63 |
13 |
- |
1 |
|
Kildare |
4,711 |
53,945 |
323 |
337 |
48 |
3 |
- |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
2,429 |
13,870 |
126 |
64 |
7 |
- |
- |
|
Laois/Offaly |
4,354 |
38,901 |
150 |
149 |
20 |
- |
- |
|
Limerick |
8,998 |
26,150 |
160 |
73 |
13 |
2 |
- |
|
Louth |
3,010 |
12,236 |
60 |
22 |
6 |
- |
- |
|
Mayo |
4,074 |
18,126 |
106 |
25 |
8 |
2 |
- |
|
Meath |
2,473 |
12,794 |
105 |
22 |
7 |
2 |
- |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
3,425 |
18,347 |
94 |
50 |
11 |
- |
- |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
2,919 |
10,663 |
40 |
67 |
9 |
- |
- |
|
Tipperary |
8,481 |
22,759 |
123 |
24 |
7 |
2 |
- |
|
Waterford |
2,891 |
18,304 |
96 |
112 |
6 |
1 |
- |
|
Westmeath |
2,492 |
11,977 |
89 |
14 |
5 |
1 |
- |
|
Wexford |
3,748 |
24,165 |
177 |
155 |
25 |
1 |
- |
|
Wicklow |
2,651 |
16,076 |
62 |
20 |
2 |
1 |
- |
|
Grand Total |
124,355 |
585,900 |
3,189 |
2,878 |
390 |
31 |
4 |
I hope this information has been of some assistance to the Deputy .