FF rebels vow to block drink law change

TRANSPORT Minister Noel Dempsey was last night on a collision course with hard-core Fianna Fáil rebels over moves to force through tough new drink-drive laws.

Mr Dempsey faced a barrage of protest as he attempted to sell the measures at a stormy meeting of the parliamentary party, which was described as “hot and heavy” by one TD present.

Of some 25 speakers at the showdown, only two deputies backed the proposals in the Road Traffic Bill, which include reducing the drink-drive limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood down to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml – putting drivers over the limit after one pint of beer or a glass of wine.