Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegations for their presentations. It is clear to all of us the impact on public health and social life these three organisations have right across the country. That is not in question. I take a practical view about the whole issue of advertising and sponsorship by alcohol drinks companies in the sporting industry. As some of the content originates in other jurisdictions, the notion of a blanket ban would be hard to implement. That is not to suggest there are no issues that need to be addressed. In the presentations, all organisations have indicated the efforts they are making to deal with alcohol abuse. It is not a crime to consume alcohol, not yet anyway. Clearly, the issue we all have to grapple with is the whole area of misuse.

Why do the delegations think the alcohol industry seeks to advertise and sponsor their sporting activities? Have they carried out any research on the connection between alcohol sponsorship and advertising and the conversion of teenage and young adult consumers? Most of the work the committee has done to date suggests the concern resides with this age cohort. A young fellow or girl sees a particular drinks company associated with a particular sporting endeavour. They somehow seem to believe it is cool and acceptable to consume this particular alcohol product. That is not to suggest they go on to misuse alcohol but that is the anecdotal evidence that exists. The only way we will be successful in understanding whether that is real or imaginary is if some qualitative research is done on this matter. Have the organisations here today done any research in that regard or would they consider doing it?