Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My Department's remit covers jobs, enterprise and innovation. If we are to introduce public health provisions in respect of the sale of alcohol - I agree that there is a legitimate demand for such because cheap prices do represent a threat to public health - it has to be articulated by the Department of Health, which is what is happening. That Department is taking a view, for very sound public health reasons, on the proper price and distribution methods, issues to do with advertising and a range of other provisions in regard to the sale of alcohol. It is doing so in the proper way, by setting out the public health basis for it and presenting its findings to those who understand public health and are qualified to make judgments on public health policy. That is what is happening and it is the right way to proceed. It is not for a Department like mine to form judgments about public health issues or others outside its remit.

The Department of Health is very alert to the Deputy's specific concerns and I understand it will be introducing a comprehensive strategy to facilitate the putting in place of a range of measures designed to try to contain the level of alcohol abuse which, of course, is a serious problem. The strategy to which I refer has been set out and the Department has signalled that the legislation necessary to underpin it will be introduced. That is the way the Government is approaching the matter.

The Deputy's amendment seeks to use legislation relating to competition in the marketplace to pursue objectives which do not come within the remit of my Department. While I may be sympathetic to his views, alcohol abuse should be dealt with by the competent authorities and that is what is happening.