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Moves on Drink Drive limit welcomed by Boylan

Published: 27 October, 2009

Sinn Féin Vice Chair of the Environment Committee, Cathal Boylan, has welcomed comments from Edwin Poots that show a commitment to reduce the drink driving limit next year.

The Environment Minister was responding to a proposal by Irish Transport Minister Noel Dempsey to lower the limit in the 26 Counties to a level of 50mg per 100ml of blood from 80mg.

The MLA, who is Sinn Féin Road Safety spokesperson said;

'Sinn Féin has long campaigned for a reduction in the amount of alcohol that can be consumed before getting behind the wheel of a car, indeed I believe we may have been the only party to formally respond to the recent DoE drink drive consultation.'

"While it is good to see action being proposed North and South, I would be concerned that there may be a difference in the levels of reduction, this would only cause confusion in border areas where many people live in one area and socialise in another. I would hope serious thought is given to looking at this matter on a cross border basis and that both Ministers can come to a sensible agreement to have a single drink drive limit throughout the island." ENDS