The Road Safety Authority (RSA) said it is "greatly concerned" at the announcement by An Garda Síochána that there were significant discrepancies between the number of people actually being breathalysed versus the number recorded as having been breathalysed since 2011.

In statement this evening, Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said: "Drink driving is still a very serious and prevalent road safety issue in Ireland. Alcohol is a contributory factor in 29% of fatal crashes involving drivers and motorcyclists.

"The absence of credible and reliable enforcement metrics such as the numbers of drivers being breath tested, makes it almost impossible to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of road safety interventions. This is especially valid in the context of the rise in road deaths over recent years."

However, the RSA also acknowledged that Gardaí did move to rectify the issue as soon as it came to light.

Ms Murdock is now seeking an urgent meeting with the Assistant Commissioner Mick Finn to get clarification on the assurances being given by the Gardaí that the necessary procedures to accurately audit the number of drivers breathalysed have been put in place.

Summons for road traffic offences

On the  significant administrative error lead to individuals being summonsed to court for road traffic offences, the RSA said:

"While the vast majority of the summonses were issued for the non-display of Tax and Insurance discs, which are not directly related to road safety, there remains a significant number of motorists who were affected by the error and may have erroneously been prosecuted in Court for road safety offences.

"The RSA welcomes the fact that the Gardaí have taken steps to correct any case where a conviction was applied in error."