Drink-drive permit plan ‘grossly irresponsible’

Alan Shatter said it was “grossly irresponsible” for politicians to encourage drivers to exceed the alcohol limit.

The justice minister, responding to calls from Kerry County Council for drink-driving permits for rural motorists, was supported by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar and Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.

Speaking at a briefing in Dublin Castle held by Tispol, the European Police Network, Mr Shatter said politicians should not contradict road safety rules for their own “self promotion”.

Kerry County Council backed a motion from Cllr Danny Healy-Rae calling for licences that would allow rural dwellers to drive home from pubs after having two or three pints.

“To be absolutely clear there’s no question of this Government, or indeed I don’t believe any future government, facilitating individuals drinking in excess of blood alcohol limits,” said Mr Shatter. “No one in public life should encourage intoxicated individuals over the alcohol limit to drive and place their lives and the lives of others at risk.”

He said people in public life should relentlessly deliver the message that drink driving kills.

Mr Varadkar said that while rural isolation was a serious issue, the solution was “neither alcohol nor drink driving”. He pointed out that road fatalities tended not to happen in cities or on motorways, but in rural areas.

Commissioner Callinan said: “If you drink don’t drive, and if you drive don’t drink — it’s as simple as that. It’s a short, snappy but very clear, distinct, message from the people in charge of law enforcement.”

The comments come after US news network ABC ran a story headlined “Irish County Votes to Let Some Drive Drunker”.

Tispol president Koen Ricour said Ireland was a “success story” in terms of reducing road fatalities and had the sixth best record out of 29 European countries.