Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I must thank them for our annual outing to Croke Park every year. It strikes me as a paradox that at Government level we are discussing a drink-dependent society but the irony is that we are discussing sporting organisations which are dependent on what drinks companies give them in sponsorship. That is a paradox in itself. I understand the concerns of the delegation. We are here today to try to tease out the issues with a view to telling the Minister where the issues really lie. I take the points of the delegation which suggest that the evidence does not match up to the ban. However, we must face the fact that we have a public health issue to do with alcohol. Wherever that lies and how it affects the organisations in future is what we must tease out.

What work or exploration have the organisations done with other companies? I believe the organisations are not necessarily dependent on the drinks companies; what they are dependent on is the money they supply. If that supply of money could be gotten from someone else, would that answer their problems?

In the GAA the small clubs I am aware of are moving away from the local bar. There is a significant debate going on among parents in the GAA about where they hold their meetings and socials and so on. There is a move to get away from their being held in the local pub. They are trying to give it a more positive view and to hold events in GAA grounds which, sometimes, do not have bars. What exploration have the organisations done in that area?