David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a further question which I will put to both groups. It has been said to us time and again that part of our culture is to drink but the culture seems to be heading in the direction of binge drinking. Young people, the young adults over 18 years seem to think that binge drinking is the way to go. It is very serious from the point of view of their health but it has very serious implications for public order. People have accidents and end up in hospital. Do the witnesses wish to comment on the binge drinking culture that seems to be accelerating, where people drink to get drunk? In other jurisdictions I have visited that is not the case, it is frowned upon. In some countries it is a badge of shame to be drunk in public. Here it seems to be the thing to do. Will the witnesses comment on that and can they put forward solutions?