No decision to lower drivers' drink limit

THE DEPARTMENT of Transport has said it has made no decision to lower the current permitted level of alcohol for drivers.

THE DEPARTMENT of Transport has said it has made no decision to lower the current permitted level of alcohol for drivers.

The Road Safety Authority, which has already said it would like to see a reduction in the level, yesterday received a report from an advisory group on the subject.

However a department spokesman said it would be "inappropriate" to comment on a report that was presented to another body and it would await a recommendation from the authority.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey is expected to bring a memorandum to Cabinet when he has considered any approach from the authority.

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Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators expressed strong opposition yesterday to reducing the drink-driving limit significantly.

Reacting to reports that the limit for drivers holding full licences would drop from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or urine, and for learner drivers to 20mg, FF TDs, particularly those representing rural constituencies, warned Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan that such a move would cripple rural pubs.

The meeting between Mr Lenihan and the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party's justice policy group, chaired by Wexford TD Seán Connick was organised three weeks ago.

Demanding tough action to cut excessive alcohol and underage drinking, the group backed calls to ban off-licence sales to those under-21. One Senator proposed that all alcoholic drink bottles should carry details about their calorie content to discourage young women from drinking heavily.