A NUMBER of Fianna Fáil backbench TDs are "on the verge of leaving the party" after a heated exchange among parliamentary party members at the annual 'think-in' in Athlone last week.

The row developed over transport minister Noel Dempsey's plans to introduce a new lower limit for drink driving before the end of the year.

The plan, described by one TD as "the pimple on the arse of rural TDs", is abhorred by a large swathe of the party's TDs and senators and one TD claimed: "It could be the straw that breaks the camel's back."

Between 12 and 15 TDs and senators vented their opposition to the plan at the meeting which took place in a closed session last Monday but Dempsey retorted angrily "in a curt manner" and claimed he will push ahead with it anyway.

In a veiled threat to the party leadership, one TD is understood to have said, "I won't be on the train if you try and push this legislation through the Dáil."

During the Dáil summer recess Dempsey vowed to forge ahead with his plan, which would reduce the legal limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg. This would effectively mean motorists would be over the legal limit after one alcohol drink and rural backbenchers are said to be incensed at the proposal.

One TD who did not wish to be named said, "A good few TDs spoke about it and a lot more said nothing but are privately angry about the plan. A lot of TDs have also gone to Noel Dempsey to tell him that it is crazy what he is doing.

"Why create such trouble for members of the parliamentary party now when we are already going through such difficult times? The government is trying to bring through Nama and a very difficult budget so it is a pimple on the arse of rural TDs to introduce this as well. It should not become the straw that breaks the party's back but Dempsey is putting the people close to the edge of leaving the party even closer to jumping. People are on the verge of leaving the party over this one, such is the internal disquiet."

TDs who are opposed to the plan argue that few accidents are attributable to people in the 50mg to 80mg bracket and it is usually people who have multiples of that alcohol level in their systems who cause accidents.

Dr Rory O'Hanlon spoke in favour of the proposal while another TD starkly stated, "If you had somebody belonging to you killed in an accident you would support the measure."

A spokeswoman for Dempsey said, "Minister Dempsey will publish a new road traffic bill next month containing a number of life-saving measures designed to make our roads safer."

It is understood the Taoiseach has given assurances to backbenchers that the legislation will not be put before the Dáil until it is discussed at Fianna Fáil parliamentary party level again so backbenchers' concerns can be heard.

One TD recounted this weekend how Dempsey claimed some backbenchers were basing their arguments against his plan on literature circulated by the Vintners' Association of Ireland. Dempsey is understood to be angry Fianna Fáil's internal dispute over the issue was made public in the media during the summer recess.