Menu
24/06/2010
Dáil Reduces Legal Limit
The Irish parliament in Dublin has passed a new lower drink-driving limit, to the outrage of the country's publicans.
The acceptable blood alcohol limit while driving has been lowered to 50mg instead of the previous level of 80mg. The new limit was part of the Road Traffic Bill.
The Bill passed through the Dáil without a vote as agreement on its contents was reached on all sides. Drivers caught over the limit would receive three penalty points and a €200 fine, if they do not challenge the conviction in court, but they will not receive a driving ban.
However, despite the Daíl consensus, the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) has accused the Government of "deliberately destroying the pub industry", saying the new limit is "over regulation through legislation".
Speaking yesterday, the President of the VFI, Gerry Mellett, said the pub industry throughout the country had been "brought to its knees" by the over regulation in the last few years and the new blood alcohol limits would be the final nail in the coffin.
"The Government’s approach to legislation has become too narrow minded and inflexible, with the result that the lives and the livelihood of people in towns, villages and communities throughout the country is being totally undermined.
"Many TDs and Ministers appear to be indifferent to the consequences of such over legislation on their constituents and their communities, and they need to recognize the stark reality of the situation."
Mr Mellet said that while the association did not condone drunk driving, in any fashion, the VFI would be calling on the Government to soften the provisions of the new Bill and to address and redress the issues of over regulation and the suffocation of businesses.
Mr Mellett also said that, "the National Executive will be meeting shortly to agree a plan of campaign to protect the industry".
The Bill now moves to the Seanad where it is due to be dealt with next week.
The limit for learner and professional drivers has been cut from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 20mg and from 80mg to 50mg for other drivers.
(DW/BMcC)
The acceptable blood alcohol limit while driving has been lowered to 50mg instead of the previous level of 80mg. The new limit was part of the Road Traffic Bill.
The Bill passed through the Dáil without a vote as agreement on its contents was reached on all sides. Drivers caught over the limit would receive three penalty points and a €200 fine, if they do not challenge the conviction in court, but they will not receive a driving ban.
However, despite the Daíl consensus, the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) has accused the Government of "deliberately destroying the pub industry", saying the new limit is "over regulation through legislation".
Speaking yesterday, the President of the VFI, Gerry Mellett, said the pub industry throughout the country had been "brought to its knees" by the over regulation in the last few years and the new blood alcohol limits would be the final nail in the coffin.
"The Government’s approach to legislation has become too narrow minded and inflexible, with the result that the lives and the livelihood of people in towns, villages and communities throughout the country is being totally undermined.
"Many TDs and Ministers appear to be indifferent to the consequences of such over legislation on their constituents and their communities, and they need to recognize the stark reality of the situation."
Mr Mellet said that while the association did not condone drunk driving, in any fashion, the VFI would be calling on the Government to soften the provisions of the new Bill and to address and redress the issues of over regulation and the suffocation of businesses.
Mr Mellett also said that, "the National Executive will be meeting shortly to agree a plan of campaign to protect the industry".
The Bill now moves to the Seanad where it is due to be dealt with next week.
The limit for learner and professional drivers has been cut from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 20mg and from 80mg to 50mg for other drivers.
(DW/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 May 2012
Shake-up For Learner Drivers In The Pipeline
The Environment Minister has tabled plans that amount to a radical shake-up of the rules for learner drivers. Teenagers could be able to get behind the wheel at the age of 16-and-a-half, and the 45mph speed limit for new drivers could be scrapped.
Shake-up For Learner Drivers In The Pipeline
The Environment Minister has tabled plans that amount to a radical shake-up of the rules for learner drivers. Teenagers could be able to get behind the wheel at the age of 16-and-a-half, and the 45mph speed limit for new drivers could be scrapped.
08 January 2019
PSNI Stunned As Lorry Driver Caught Three Times Over Legal Driving Limit
Police have said they were "lost for words" after a suspected drunk truck driver was found three times over the legal driving limit. Officers responded to a report of a man "staggering" about at a local service station in Antrim on the evening of Monday 07 January.
PSNI Stunned As Lorry Driver Caught Three Times Over Legal Driving Limit
Police have said they were "lost for words" after a suspected drunk truck driver was found three times over the legal driving limit. Officers responded to a report of a man "staggering" about at a local service station in Antrim on the evening of Monday 07 January.
18 November 2024
Man Arrested After Dangerous Driving Pursuit And Assault Allegations
A man is currently in police custody following a dangerous driving pursuit and subsequent arrest on suspicion of multiple offences. The incident began in the early hours of Saturday, 16th November, when police received a report of an assault in the Listooder Park area of Saintfield.
Man Arrested After Dangerous Driving Pursuit And Assault Allegations
A man is currently in police custody following a dangerous driving pursuit and subsequent arrest on suspicion of multiple offences. The incident began in the early hours of Saturday, 16th November, when police received a report of an assault in the Listooder Park area of Saintfield.
25 June 2010
Call For Lower Drink-Drive Limit
Local doctors are calling for the Stormont Executive to consider lowering the drink drive limit to "save lives". Following this week's Daíl legislation reducing the legal blood-alcohol level from 80 to 50mg, Northern Ireland doctors said today that the law should be changed here too.
Call For Lower Drink-Drive Limit
Local doctors are calling for the Stormont Executive to consider lowering the drink drive limit to "save lives". Following this week's Daíl legislation reducing the legal blood-alcohol level from 80 to 50mg, Northern Ireland doctors said today that the law should be changed here too.
15 December 2006
Drink driving campaign figures released
Over 100 drink drivers have been caught each week during the current PSNI Christmas anti-drink driving campaign. A message saying 'we warned you' was issued by police as they released that 217 drivers had been detected as being over the limit throughout the first two weeks of their annual winter campaign.
Drink driving campaign figures released
Over 100 drink drivers have been caught each week during the current PSNI Christmas anti-drink driving campaign. A message saying 'we warned you' was issued by police as they released that 217 drivers had been detected as being over the limit throughout the first two weeks of their annual winter campaign.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
