Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentations and acknowledge the huge contribution their organisations make to society through sports and all of the issues surrounding it. Having heard the contributions of the three delegates my first impression is that the general consensus is that a ban on alcohol sponsorship would have a huge affect on the organisations, although in terms of what they can deliver rather than their continuing in operation.

I refer to what the organisations can deliver in social and other areas.

I am very familiar with the running of the late night leagues. This issue has been raised with the JPCs and we have noticed there has been a drop in crime levels when these leagues and other events are taking place. We have argued that pulling people more into sport in different areas would reduce anti-social behaviour. It would give people, particularly young people, something to do.

I wonder where such a ban would lead us. We are dealing with the question of a ban on alcohol sponsorship of major events. Local clubs rely on the sponsorship by local pubs, which are advertised on the clubs' jerseys. I would like to hear the representatives' opinions on the effect such a ban would have at that level. Such sponsorship provides the bread and butter funding for most clubs and a ban on alcohol sponsorship would have an awful effect on them. Where would such a ban lead? Will we have a ban on advertising by McDonald's because of the problem of obesity? Will we have a ban on the advertising of fizzy drinks because they have an impact on people's health?

I do not know what the French formula is on such sponsorship. Do they have an outright ban on alcohol sponsorship? The representatives might advise if it is an outright ban or a partial ban and what the ban entails.

Surprisingly, there is a high number of non-drinkers in this country which people do not tend to realise. It is a very small market that the drinks companies target. I do not tend to pay much heed to the advertisements, even when I attend a match. I was at the match last night and I am devastated by the result.

Such a ban would have a side effect on these companies. I am not asking the representatives to talk about the companies but if Guinness, Carlsberg and other drinks companies put money towards sponsorship, such a ban on sponsorship could have an effect in terms of employment and other areas. I do not know if that is a question for the representatives to answer but it is one for all of us to bear in mind.