Professor Frank Murray:

I will deal with the questions on alcohol. I agree that the Swedish model makes more sense than the Irish one. Alcohol is not an ordinary product. Nothing else on the aisles of supermarkets is as dangerous as alcohol, but it is sold as an ordinary product alongside crisps and peanuts. I agree that we should restrict its sale. I am particularly irritated by the fact that all petrol stations sell alcohol. I cannot understand this, as they mainly sell high potency alcohol. I encourage Deputy Arthur Spring to drive that argument among his Oireachtas colleagues. Many of the suggestions made constructively by the Deputy and his colleagues are self-evident. The alcohol industry is arguing they would hurt the poor and the tourism industry, but they would do the opposite. The tourism industry is being damaged by drunkenness and drink related behaviour on the streets and in town centres.

I argue there is a huge economic benefit in restricting the number of outlets and monitoring the way they sell alcohol to ensure there is less under age drinking.