The Agriculture Minister Barry Cowen is expected to make a statement to the Dáil about his driving ban.
The Fianna Fáil TD was banned from the road for three months after he was caught drink-driving in 2016 between Dublin and Offaly.
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said people can’t be condemned for something they did four years ago.
However National Charity for Road Victims, who assist those affected by road deaths and injury and working to reduce road dangers and improve victim support, have expressed their outrage at the behaviour of the Fianna Fáil TD.
This morning, the founder of the Irish Road Victims Association Donna Price said he step aside from his role.
“I think his position is untenable,” she said.
“Much as I don’t like to kick someone when they are down and when they have made an apology, really it goes further than that and I think it shows a complete disregard for other users.”
She said Minister Cowen showed a complete disregard for the safety of other road users.
“He has broken the law not just by drink driving but also by driving while unaccompanied so that shows a complete disregard for the safety of other road users.
“Those laws are there to protect all of us and so it is simply inexcusable. As I said he could have killed or seriously injured somebody and we don’t appreciate that our public representatives would take such a chance.”
They’ve added a further statement on their Facebook page..
Disgusting behaviour. 😡
Absolutely no excuse for endangering others by driving whilst impaired. No regard at all for the many thousands of lives already wiped out, and families destroyed, in this country by law breaking drivers.
Politicians have a duty to support the many efforts to keep their constituents safe.
FF fell far short in their support for recent life saving road safety legislative changes our bereaved families fought so hard for with Minister Shane Ross. Perhaps stories like this explain their unacceptable obstruction, or silence on, such important issues?
How the Taoiseach and Govt. reacts will show the importance accorded by this new Government to #RoadSafety.
https://twitter.com/IRVAroadsafety/status/1279717726806835201
