Varadkar: New drink driving laws are 'stricter'

The Transport Minister Leo Vardakar has denied that new drink driving laws, which include changes to the penalties involved, are a "soft touch".

The legal blood alcohol limit is being cut from 80 to 50 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood from tomorrow.

It will be only 20 milligrammes for learner and professional drivers.

There will be an on-the-spot fine for people found flouting the law, as well as three penalty points, as opposed to an automatic 12-month driving ban under the old system.

Today's launch of the new drink driving laws was hijacked by a group of driving instructors protesting against new laws on driver training.

Eamon Coy of the GMB union said they were not consulted on the new legislation and that driving instructors just want to make sure learner drivers are safe on the roads.