An Ennis publican claims plans to install breathalyser terminals in pubs and hotels could have created serious insurance and liability issues for businesses.
It comes after a tender by the Road Safety Authority to install 20 terminals across the country was scrapped after just one day.
Minister of State with responsibilty for road safety Sean Canney has welcomed the decision to abandon the €1.5 million project, describing it as ‘the right decision’.
The initiative was proposed following research from the Road Safety Authority that showed 45% of people felt they were under the limit when breath tests found they exceeded the limit.
The RSA claimed the initiative would have challenged this perception and encourage people to not drink and drive.
Manager of Moroney’s Pub in Ennis Maurice Walsh, says the proposal would have led to liability issues for businesses.
Critics of the project argue the €1.5 million could be better spent elsewhere.
Under the proposed tender, each breathalyser terminal would come in at a cost of €75,000.
Ennis Hotelier Sean Lally says the money could be better spent supporting taxi services or funding road safety education programmes in rural Clare.
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