Ahern's pledge on random breath testing
Random breath testing is legal and constitutional and will be introduced soon to cut road carnage, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil today.
Mr Ahern told TDs that Attorney General Rory Brady had approved the measure and informed the Garda Commissioner of his decision.
Speaking about random testing, he said: “We’ve come to a conclusion on that. The reality is there has been legal debate on whether it is constitutional or not.
“It is legal and is constitutional to have random breath testing. It will have to be done in a particular way and that will be announced as well.”
Mr Ahern said that the Attorney General’s decision had been conveyed to the Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy in recent days.
He added: “It will put some fear into drivers who don’t care.”
Earlier, Opposition leader Enda Kenny told the Dáil that the Government’s road safety plan was a failure and the roads of Ireland were littered with monuments to lost lives.
Mr Kenny explained 399 people were killed in fatal collisions 2005 and 29 so far this year.
He complained that the Government was failing to meet road safety targets on penalty points and speed cameras.
“The record in this area is littered with broken promises.
“The roads of Ireland are littered with monuments to tragic accidents and lost lives
“Taoiseach your Government’s record in dealing with the carnage on Irish roads has been an absolutely dismal failure.
Mr Kenny pointed out that Transport Minister Martin Cullen wasn’t in the Dáil chamber and called for the implementation of the National Road Strategy.
Mr Ahern said: “The number of road deaths and the carnage on the roads is disappointing and disturbing.”
He said the National Road Strategy target of bringing down annual deaths to 300 will be difficult to achieve.
The penalty points system will be extended from five offences to 35 on April 1, he noted.
Finance Minister Brian Cowen will announce tomorrow that up to 60 offences will carry on-the-spot fines.
