The Taoiseach is appealing to people who take a drink to never sit behind the wheel of a car.

40 people have been arrested in the past two days alone on suspicion of drink driving.

It brings to more than 500 the number of people arrested since Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority launched their Christmas and New Year campaign against drink driving.

Enda Kenny says people need to realise the number of lives they are putting at risk.

"I would say to everybody who takes a drink - drink is something that can be enjoyed, but if you take a drink do not sit behind the wheel of a car," he said.

"It should be absolutely understood by every person that it is putting everybody's life in danger to sit behind the wheel of a car with alcohol taken."

The RSA launched their campaign on December 1st, fronted by the Treacy family who tragically lost their 4 year old son Ciarán in a road traffic collision involving a drunk driver.