Over 20 TDs and Senators criticise Dempsey proposals

MINISTER FOR Transport Noel Dempsey’s proposal to lower drink-driving limits prompted critical interventions from more than 20 backbenchers and Senators at a heated Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday night.

Many of those who intervened claimed Mr Dempsey’s plan to reduce the blood alcohol content limit for motorists from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood would increase rural isolation.

Cork North West TD Michael Moynihan was the first to respond angrily to the Minister’s presentation on the Road Traffic Bill.

Mr Moynihan spoke about his concern at the impact of lower drink-driving limits on the existing “serious rural isolation problem”. He added: “I outlined the position in relation to rural Ireland. Everybody had their earnest view.”

Longford-Westmeath TD Peter Kelly said he told the meeting he was not convinced accidents could be eradicated or stopped by lowering the blood alcohol level from 80mg to 50mg. Mr Kelly said certain features of the Bill were welcomed, such as mandatory breath testing at the scene of accidents.

Rural deputies were not the only ones to criticise the proposals. Dublin South East TD Chris Andrews said: “I said, for the last three weeks the Minister negotiated the Programme for Government. Individual members of the Green Party, some of whom weren’t elected, have been consulted. On the other hand if you’re a Fianna Fáil backbencher you get dumped on. Our loyalty is being used against us as backbenchers.”

Observers said there was a “passionate” intervention from Carlow-Kilkenny’s Bobby Aylward. Among the last speakers were Dublin North East deputy Michael Woods and Tipperary South TD Mattie McGrath. Other TDs who intervened, according to a number of those at the meeting, were Beverley Flynn, Christy O’Sullivan, Brendan Keneally, Tom Kitt, Noel Tracey, Noel Ahern, Michael Kitt, Michael Mulcahy, Maire Hoctor, Michael Fitzpatrick, Ned O’Keeffe and Niall Blaney. A number of Senators spoke, including Denis O’Donovan and Lisa McDonald, observers said.

BLOOD-ALCOHOL LIMITS: HOW WE COMPARE

0.0 mg per ml – Croatia, Estonia, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary

0.2 mg per ml – Norway, Poland, Sweden

0.4 mg per ml - Lithuania

0.5 mg per ml – Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Serbia/ Montenegro, Latvia, Macedonia, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Cyprus (north)

0.8 mg per ml – IRELAND, Britain, Luxembourg, Malta, Switzerland

0.9 mg per ml – Cyprus (south)