The Road Safety Authority's plan to put self-test breathalysers in pubs, hotels and sports venues, including at least one in Co Monaghan, has been scrapped, a day after the tender became public knowledge.

The decision came on Tuesday 20 October. RTÉ and the Irish Independent both reported that it followed ministerial intervention. Seán Canney, the Minister of State with responsibility for road safety, said: "I welcome the decision not to proceed with this procurement process. It is the right decision."

Why Monaghan was on the list

As we reported on Tuesday, the RSA had sought a supplier for 20 interactive breathalyser terminals for licensed premises, golf clubs and large sports venues. The contract was for three years, estimated at about €1.5 million, with the option of two further two-year extensions.

The units were to go to at least 12 counties, with at least one in each of the six counties with the highest rate of people killed and seriously injured in road collisions. According to the Irish Independent, those six are Monaghan, Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Kerry. Northern Sound said Monaghan had been included because of its high rate of road deaths and serious injuries.

What changed

The proposal ran into criticism as soon as it was reported. Social Democrats transport spokesperson Aidan Farrelly TD called it "frankly disgraceful". Michael Murphy, the Fine Gael TD who chairs the Oireachtas Transport Committee, called for it to be cancelled, describing it as "misguided" and saying it risked "sending mixed messages at a time when we need absolute clarity".

Mr Canney told the Irish Times he was "taken aback" when he learned of the plan through media reports, because it did not match the clear message that people should never drink and drive. "There was no point in spending money on something that was offering ambiguity," he said. "If the policy is 'don't drink and drive', which is very straightforward, if you are saying to people in a pub or nightclub to take a breathalyser test, you are not being consistent with that message in my view."

He said the money could instead go on education, communications and on-road safety ambassadors.

The RSA's case

The RSA had defended the idea before it was dropped. A spokesperson said its message "has not changed: if you are drinking, don't drive", and that the aim was to "challenge the significant gap between how impaired people believe they are and their actual alcohol level, not to suggest that any amount of alcohol is safe before driving".

The plan followed a pilot in which breathalysers were made available at hospitality venues and events between August 2024 and February 2025. The Irish Independent reported that more than 24,000 tests were carried out. Of the people who were over the legal limit of 50mg per 100ml, 64% said they were going to drive, and 77% of those who wrongly believed they were under the limit said they intended to drive.

What it means locally

Nothing changes on the ground in Monaghan, since no terminals had been installed. The procurement process has now been stopped, and the RSA has not said whether it will try a different approach. The county stays among the six worst for serious road casualties, so road safety campaigns here will now rely on enforcement, education and the existing "never, ever drink and drive" message.