FF urged to fight rural closures

FIANNA FÁIL backbenchers have been told to show the same concern for rural Ireland when it comes to the closure of schools and Garda stations as they have over the controversial new drink-driving laws.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has offered a further olive branch to the party’s backbenchers by reducing the sanction for those caught over the new limits when they are introduced.

In a further climbdown, Mr Dempsey said drink driving will carry three penalty points rather than six when the limit is reduced from 80mg to 50mg for 100mls of blood.