Dr. Bobby Smyth:

Deputy O'Mahony asked where this lies in the ranking order. In other words, if we could implement only two of the measures recommended in the substance misuse strategy, where would sponsorship lie? It is not at the top of the list. Curtailing availability, increasing cost and reducing affordability would be the bigger impact features. We also believe that Deputy Flanagan is absolutely correct. Even if sponsorship influences only 2% or 3% of those it reaches, 2% of 2,000 dead people could reduce the death toll by 60 per annum.