The Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has signed emergency laws to close a loophole in Irish drink-driving laws.

The new measure means drink-driving tickets can now be issued in either Irish or English - but the status of previous tickets is unclear.

The High Court yesterday upheld a challenge taken by a driver, and ruled that the result of breathalyser tests must be issued in both Irish and English.

That ruling meant thousands of previous prosecutions could be called into question, and left a gaping hole in Ireland's road traffic laws.

This morning the Department of Transport says Minister Donohoe has signed emergency laws to plug that gap.

He has signed what is called a 'statutory instrument' - which now means breathalyser statements can be issued in either English or Irish - which he says was always the objective of the laws.

But it is understood the move cannot be applied retrospectively.

In a statement, Mr Donohoe says: "The advice of the Attorney-General's Office was sought in respect of the need for amending legislation on foot of the judgement in relation to the language of the forms produced by Evidential Breath Testing machines in garda stations."

"In the interests of road safety, I have moved immediately to provide the new legislation deemed necessary regarding the form of the statements to be provided under section 13 of the Road Traffic Act 2010".

So while future prosecutions should be safe, the questions marks over previous cases will remain.

Conor Faughnan of the AA told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk he hopes it is a proper fix.