Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. They have presented us with startling figures regarding the impact on the health service. In that regard I want to follow up on a question asked by Deputy Mitchell O'Connor about the evidence base for their figures. As someone who is active on social media, I have seen comments that the RCPI or others are scaremongering to encourage us to bring in this legislation. It would be useful, therefore, if the witnesses were to reiterate categorically that these figures are based on evidence and their experience.

In terms of my personal experience, we often think of children when we talk about underage drinking, but I am also conscious of the indirect impact of alcohol on children's lives, whether it is domestic violence or abuse. The Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, has spoken to the committee about the importance of alcohol being seen as a factor by social workers when they are looking into families' lives.

Deputy Byrne mentioned the issue of foetal alcohol syndrome. We give mixed messages to pregnant women about their intake of alcohol. That is an issue the medical profession needs to examine, because as a society we do give mixed messages about alcohol, yet we have seen the serious consequences.

I support what the witnesses state in their submission about minimum pricing, placement and availability. On the question of staff training, do the witnesses have a view on limiting the places where alcohol can be sold?

I agree with the witnesses on sports sponsorship. My personal opinion is that whatever date we set, we should all agree on it. I would like the date to be sooner, but why do we continue to delay doing that? It is wrong, and it will have an effect on children. We are providing in this legislation that marketing to children will not be allowed, yet they see that many of their sporting heroes are linked with alcohol products. That is violating what we are trying to do here in terms of marketing. We are clearly linking alcohol with children's sporting heroes.

Professor Murray gave the example of Italy in his contribution. I am interested to know the key initiatives taken in Italy. My understanding is that the way to change the impact of alcohol-related harm is pricing, availability and marketing. Those are the three major issues to be addressed.

Many people, especially vested interests in the drinks industry, say that education and awareness is important, because if people are more informed they will change their behaviour. My experience is that education can inform people but it does not alter their behaviour. It is not coincidental that with the publication of this Bill there have been two major initiatives by the drinks industry, one of which is the Out of Control initiative. The other involves Drink Aware, whose representatives have talked about visiting schools. We will ask the Department of Education and Skills to give a categorical statement that the drinks industry will not be educating our children on alcohol. Do the witnesses have any views, as medical practitioners, on the drinks industry having an involvement, whether in schools or in so-called consultations with the public, and using their well known and respected brands, thereby normalising alcohol? I would be very interested to hear their views on that.