Vote on tougher drink-driving laws deferred

A Dáil vote on beefing up drink-drive laws has been postponed until the autumn but a number of ministers have expressed concern about plans to take offenders off the roads.

Transport Minister Shane Ross though has agreed to consider supplementing taxi trips for people in isolated areas after concerns raised about harsher drink-driving laws impacting on rural communities.

In proposals endorsed by the Cabinet, drivers detected with over the blood-alcohol limits will be automatically disqualified. The current system sees them receive penalty points.