The Transport Minister says he’s sure his party’s back-bench TDs will support the new Road Traffic Bill which he has just published.

The highly controversial legislation sees the limit cut from 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to 50 milligrams.

Learner and professional drivers are being hit even harder – their limit is being cut from 80 milligrams down to 20 – practically a zero tolerance move.

The new bill also gives Gardai powers relating to deciding whether a driver is under the influence of drink or drugs, and new penalty point punishments.

Noel Dempsey says he hopes the move will satisfy rural TDs.

“One of the provsions in the bill is that if you’re caught between 50 and 80 that….three penalty points will apply for that first offence” he said.

“That’s a measure of trying to accomodate the view that people shouldn’t be put off the road for that first offence -so from my point of view, I’ve listened” he added.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Road Safety Authority, Gay Byrne, said “There is no shadow of doubt that experience all over the world, not just in Ireland, not just the UK….backs this move”.

Byrne went on “There is a list as long as your arm of local and national organisations who are absolutely at one with the Road Safety Authority in pushing this through”.

“That is why I think it will get enormous backing from the vast majority of people in Ireland” he added.