THE LABOUR party said yesterday that it had not received any approaches from the Government in relation to the proposed new drink-driving legislation.
A newspaper report indicating that Taoiseach Brian Cowen would attempt to achieve cross-party consensus on the legislation to lower the blood alcohol limit was rejected by a Government spokesman yesterday. “It’s not true. There’s no basis to it,” he said.
The draft Road Traffic Bill, which would see the blood alcohol content limit for motorists reduced from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood, and to 20mg for young inexperienced drivers, has provoked an angry response from some Fianna Fáil backbenchers.
There was no response from Fine Gael on the matter last night.
A Labour spokesman said it had received no approach from the Government on the issue. “There’s been no approach to anyone about it. If they’re serious about doing it, through the newspapers is not the way to do it,” he said.
Asked what the party’s view of the legislation was, he said: “We will take, as always, a responsible position on this legislation.”
The spokesman stressed the party had not seen the legislation yet. He said Labour’s transport spokesman Tommy Broughan had always supported the recommendations of the Road Safety Authority.
“We would be loath to oppose anything that can conclusively be shown to prevent road accidents or death,” the spokesman added.
A spokeswoman for Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey reiterated the Minister’s position that he would publish the Bill shortly and it would contain the new limits of 50mg and 20mg.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil backbencher Mattie McGrath says alcohol could relax motorists who were “jumpy on the road or nervous”.
The Tipperary South deputy, who has strongly opposed lowering drink-driving limits, was speaking on Newstalk's Lunchtime with Eamon Keaneprogramme.
“People say after one drink it lessens your concentration or whatever or you’re not as good a driver or you’re not able to drive. I don’t really accept that,” he said.
“I mean, that can be argued the other way as well. Some people, a drink, if it’s such a sedative, it can make people who’re, you know, jumpy on the road or nervous, can be more relaxed. All these arguments can be argued both ways.”
Mr McGrath said he would like to see a “two-tier” system, with the current limit remaining in rural regions and a new limit applying in urban areas.
