Politics

Healy-Rae concerned over possible automatic drink-driving ban

Shane Ross’s Bill would see those who are caught drink-driving automatically disqualified

‘I have reservations. I’m not saying that I’m against it. We will have to debate it’. Photographer: Dara Mac Dónaill

Vivienne Clarke
Wed Feb 8 2017 - 08:43

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae has voiced concern about the possibility of an automatic ban for any motorist convicted of drink driving.

Under a Bill proposed by Minister for Transport Shane Ross, drivers who are caught drink driving will be automatically disqualified.

Mr Ross told The Irish Times last month that he was preparing the general scheme of the new Bill which would end a "bizarre loophole" which allows first-time drink-driving offenders escape disqualification.

Current law stresses drivers caught with an alcohol limit of between 50mg and 80mg per 100ml will receive three penalty points and a €200 fine if it is their first offence.

READ MORE

Mr Ross is preparing a number of changes to drink-driving legislation including lowering the alcohol limits further from 50mg to 20mg if current trends on our roads continue.

This would see even one small alcoholic drink place a driver over the limit.

“We will have to wait and hear what the Minister is proposing. I have great respect for Minister Ross and of the system and for judges to make decisions,” the Kerry TD said.

“It will have to go before the Dáil and be debated. But I wonder does he have the support of his colleagues in the Cabinet?

“We will have to see will it ever become law or not.

“Anything that is automatic means that you don’t have the opportunity to go to court. I respect the judicial system.

"It would be more fair to go before a court and state your case, to have the gardaí state their case and then see what the judge's ruling is," he told Newstalk Breakfast.

‘Sectoral interests’

Mr Healy-Rae said that he presumed that whatever Mr Ross proposes is going to be a completely different system.

“I have reservations. I’m not saying that I’m against it. We will have to debate it.”

He also called for “sectoral interests” to be included in any future discussions on drink driving.

When asked who or what the sectoral interests were, he said “everyone with an opinion on the matter.”

Mr Healy-Rae also urged caution rather than "rushing to make decisions" as US president Donald Trump had done. "Are his decisions really being thought through? I believe not.

“We have to be prudent and sensible.”

He added that there were “lots of reasons” for road deaths and he wanted them to be explored.

“Cars are safer, roads are improved and yet road deaths are increasing. In Kerry many road deaths were not in a car.”

LATEST STORIES