Minister for Transport Shane Ross has said that the new Road Traffic Bill on drink-driving will eventually pass through the Dáil despite opposition to it.
The Bill proposes to disqualify anyone who drives above the drink-driving limit,
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Minister Ross said he was "rather surprised" by the opposition from what he called "unexpected and expected quarters".
Under the proposed bill, drivers found with a blood alcohol level of between 50mg and 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, will face a mandatory ban.
The current law provides for fines and penalty points for those caught with lower levels of alcohol in their blood.
Mr Ross said he did not have current figures on the numbers of people being detected with these lower level of alcohol in their systems, but "it's well over 10%".
He said alcohol was a factor in 38% of fatal accidents between 2008 and 2012 and he is certain that figure has risen since then.
Mr Ross said the Government thought it had conquered this problem, but it now knows that "drinking and driving is far too common".
He added that in one particular period, 35 people who had levels of 50mg-80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, were involved in a fatal accident.
"The extraordinary thing, which a lot of people weren't aware of, until I introduced this bill was the fact that people are driving above the limit and not being disqualified.
"If they're first-time offenders and in a marginal area of between 50 and 80mg, they can actually take three penalty points voluntarily and pay €200 even though they're above the alcoholic limit," he said.
Minister Ross said this is about saving lives.
"We know this measure is going to save lives, how many, we're not certain of and you're never going to be certain, and that's why we're doing it.
"We can't take any chances with alcohol and driving. We have to send out an absolutely clear message, there are no exceptions. If you're going to drive, you must not drink. It's as simple as that", he added.
Mr Ross said they have begun to consult the interested parties, including the vintners, the ICMSA, and Rural Link, to produce plans to reduce rural isolation and create ways to bring people home after a night out.
