THE NORTH’S DUP Minister for the Environment, Edwin Poots, has said new drink-driving limits could be in place in Northern Ireland early next year.
Mr Poots said he thought the Northern administration was “only months away from making a decision”, adding that they would co-ordinate with the Irish Government on the matter.
“If you’re driving at 80mg . . . you’re six times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash,” he said. “The Republic of Ireland, the UK and Malta have the highest drink-driving limits in Europe and that’s where the real controversy lies.”
Mr Poots’s comments follow Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey’s insistence this week that his plan to lower the drink-driving limit would be implemented. More than 20 members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party criticised proposals contained in the Road Traffic Bill. Many opposed the Cabinet-approved plan which would see the blood alcohol content limit for motorists reduced from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood. Some backbenchers said they would continue to oppose the change.
A spokesman for the Road Safety Authority’s (RSA) chief executive Noel Brett said detailed, up-to-date information had been hand-delivered to TDs in Leinster House this week.
“Not one of the TDs who have spoken out have come to the RSA seeking the evidence they say they need,” Mr Brett’s spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Kerry South Independent TD Jackie Healy Rae has indicated he is prepared to vote against the Government on drink-driving legislation.
“I was going to vote against this even if the Government came down tomorrow,” he told The Kerryman. “It’s the poor fella that calls in for a pint and a half on the way home from the likes of Castleisland or Kenmare Mart: that’s who I’m looking out for.
“If he’s stopped then he’d be totally isolated and he’s not one to buy beer or whiskey for the home. That’s not what he’s about.”
The Irish Insurance Federation said it supported the proposals.
“The Minister is right to value the safety of road users above vested interests and irresponsible drivers who want to continue drinking and driving, putting their own and others’ lives at risk,” chief executive Mike Kemp said.