Breath test delay ‘due to links with publicans’

THE Government has delayed the introduction of random breath testing for two years due to its close links with publicans, opposition TDs said today.

The technique is widely used by police forces across Europe, but gardaí are only allowed to breathalyse drivers involved in accidents or when they have a reasonable suspicion that they are over the limit.

Labour Transport spokeswoman Róisín Shortall said the Government was frightened of offending publicans.