Ahern: Drink-drive limit should be the same as in North
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has said the Republic should have the same drink-driving limit as the North, which currently stands at 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood..
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey wants to reduce the limit to 50mgs in the Republic, but several Fianna Fáil backbenchers came out against the plan during a parliamentary party meeting last night.
They claim it would damage rural pubs and communities, but Mr Dempsey says the measure would save lives on the roads.
The cabinet has approved the reduction and the minister says he wants to publish legislation on the matter before Christmas.
However, Mr Ahern said this morning that the law in the Republic should not be changed unless it is also changed in the North.
"We should work with our Northern counterparts to ensure that whatever we do or they do will be the same," he said.
