Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2022
666. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on Garda roadside alcohol and drug testing detections, including the number of detections by county for alcohol, opiates, cocaine, benzodiazepines and cannabis since the introduction of the drug detection scheme in 2017; the current thresholds for each category in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32086/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, regrettably this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy again once the report is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51:
As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am further informed that in relation to the recording of breath tests performed improved recording structures were implemented on the PULSE System on the 13 August 2017 and this date is taken as the start point for the examination of data for intoxicant testing carried out at Mandatory Intoxication Testing Checkpoints.
Figures for Garda divisions with less than ten records have not been included.
As the Deputy may be aware any thresholds for a given category are set out in the Road Traffic Act 2016.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below provides a yearly breakdown of the number of positive roadside alcohol breath tests carried out at Mandatory Intoxication Testing Checkpoints from 2017 up to 30 November 2022.
|
Positive Roadside Breath Tests by Division |
13 August 2017 to 30 November 2022 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
207 |
|
Clare |
96 |
|
Cork City |
240 |
|
Cork North |
180 |
|
Cork West |
203 |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
138 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
117 |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
181 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
93 |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
248 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
222 |
|
Donegal |
251 |
|
Galway Div |
259 |
|
Kerry |
184 |
|
Kildare Div |
524 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
228 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
222 |
|
Limerick |
254 |
|
Louth Div |
136 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
331 |
|
Meath Div |
242 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
88 |
|
Tipperary |
191 |
|
Waterford Div |
213 |
|
Westmeath Div |
143 |
|
Wexford Div |
307 |
|
Wicklow Div |
134 |
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below provides a yearly breakdown of the number of positive roadside drug oral fluid tests carried out at Mandatory Intoxication Testing Checkpoints from 2017 up to 30 November 2022.
|
Positive Roadside Oral Fluid Tests by Division |
13 August 2017 to 30 November 2022 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
102 |
|
Clare |
64 |
|
Cork City |
48 |
|
Cork North |
70 |
|
Cork West |
168 |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
58 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
90 |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
116 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
89 |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
136 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
191 |
|
Donegal |
50 |
|
Galway Div |
<10 |
|
Kerry |
68 |
|
Kildare Div |
204 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
64 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
83 |
|
Limerick |
225 |
|
Louth Div |
22 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
93 |
|
Meath Div |
59 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
55 |
|
Tipperary |
46 |
|
Waterford Div |
65 |
|
Westmeath Div |
42 |
|
Wexford Div |
78 |
|
Wicklow Div |
25 |
Additional Information
Figures are based on incidents which occurred from 13/08/2017 to 30/11/2022, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the Pulse system as was available on 06/12/2022 and is liable to change.
I hope that this information is of assistance.
