Clare’s Independent TD Hits Out At FF On Drink Driving Legislation

Photo © Pat Flynn

Clare’s Independent TD has hit out at Fianna Fáil over it’s stance on new drink driving legislation.

The Dáil will vote on the Road Traffic Bill this afternoon, which includes an outright ban on those found to be over the limit, as well as a number of other penalities for speeding, phone use and seatbelts.

Fianna Fáil will abstain in the vote, having previously opposed it.

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Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill has this report.

The Transport Minister says his drink driving legislation is “about one thing only and that is saving lives”.

Minister Shane Ross has once again been forced to defend his planned changed to the Road Traffic Bill, after some TDs claimed it’s an “attack on rural Ireland” in last night’s Dáil debate.

The Bill includes an automatic ban for those caught driving over the limit, as well as penalties for speeding, using your phone behind the wheel, failing to wear your seat belt or having children unrestrained in the car.

But some TDs claim the legislation punishes people in rural areas who don’t have public transport options – among them Independent Galway-Roscommon TD Michael Fitzmaurice

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But the Transport Minister has dismissed this – and there were stormy scenes as he defended his controversial legislation.

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Fianna Fáil has previously voiced it’s oppostition towards the bill, citing concerns that people who’d been responsible on a night out could be unfairly punished, if found to be over the limit the morning after.

The party has now said that it will abstain from today’s vote, but their opposition would have had little impact on the outcome of the vote anyway, as the bill’s expected to pass with the support of Sinn Féin.

Clare’s independent TD Dr Michael Harty, who’s in favour of the new legislation, has criticised Fianna Fáil for their stance on matter, saying the after-effects of drink can have serious consequences, and not just on the roads.

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The bill will voted on when Government business resumes this afternoon.