Waterford councillors have called for the government to make breathalyzer kits available in pharmacies across the city and county.

If implemented it would mean people could acquire a breathalyzer kit once per month from their pharmacy.

It was backed by Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and independent members at a meeting of Waterford Council, while Sinn Féin abstained and independent Joe Conway voted against.

Fianna Fáil’s James Tobin said the kit is for people who take a drink the night before.

He said “You wake up the following morning, you have to go to work, you must drive your children to school, there is an onus on Minister Ross not to stop the people from going to
work because he is hell bent on putting us all off the road. If a breathalyzer kit was made available in the pharmacies who would be compensated for that, you may get one a month,
but at least you can feel safe to drive in the morning.