108. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who have been trained to drug test suspected drivers who are impaired by narcotics and-or prescribed medicines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7085/17]

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):  As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the training of its members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

As the Deputy will be aware the Road Traffic Act 2016, enacted on 28 December last, provides for the introduction of roadside testing for drugs. My colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for this legislation and I am advised that his Department is working with key stakeholders, including An Garda Síochána, to introduce the new roadside tests for drugs. It is intended that the provisions of the 2016 Act will be commenced at the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. This will allow time for all stakeholders to prepare for the introduction of the tests, and will provide a valuable opportunity to highlight the dangers of drug driving over the Bank Holiday weekend.