Opposition silent on drink-driving measures

THE current political debacle about lowering the drink driving limits has some similarities and some differences with the debate in 2003/’04 concerning the introduction of the smoking ban.

Then and now, 20-to-30 Fianna Fáil backbenchers allowed themselves to be spooked by the publican lobby who used the spectre of a disappearing rural Ireland as a key point in their argument to retain the status quo and bolster their vested interest.

Then and now (having checked with the Road Safety Authority), not one community-based organisation that actually represents the real interests of the rural population has posted an objection to reducing the drink-driving limits. In 2003/’04 key ministers also buckled under the publicans’ pressure.

However, the Taoiseach of the day showed his mettle by facing them all down and supporting his minister. One hopes the current Taoiseach shows the same leadership as his predecessor.

What is notably different today though is the response from the opposition benches. In 2003/’04 the key spokespersons on the smoking ban on the opposition benches, deputies Mitchell, McManus, Gormley and Ó Caoláin, showed true political leadership by keeping the Minister for Health and the Government under constant pressure, in the Oireachtas and in the media, to ensure there was no last-minute U-turn on this important initiative.

This they did despite the formidable publican lobby and indeed some opposition from within their own ranks. Today, the silence from the opposition and lack of real engagement on this issue is regrettable. Voters are entitled to know their position on the drink-driving issue, clearly and unambiguously.

Dr Fenton Howell

St Mary’s Villas

Drogheda

Co Louth