Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank each of the delegates for their comprehensive and constructive presentations. Has the Department given a logical reason as to why it will not implement section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008? If the terms of section 9 were to be implemented, what period would be envisaged to allow outlets carry out the necessary changes? Would it be proposed to allow them three, six or 12 months or longer to carry out the changes? What period should be allowed for that to occur?

The point was made that sporting organisations are dependent on sponsorship. If the alcohol industry is banned from sponsoring sporting events or organisations, do the delegates think that part of the money raised from minimum pricing should be ring-fenced for sporting organisations? What level of funding would be required to replace the funding from the alcohol industry? I understand substantial sponsorship money goes to sporting organisations. If we propose to ban that, it must be replaced by other funding. What level of expenditure would be involved?

My colleague has touched on the subject of education. The winners of the Young Scientist Exhibition this year conducted research into young people and their drinking habits. In their project they raised the issue of the attitude of parents and how that affects children and their attitude to drink. I understand they will appear before the committee and make a presentation on 16 April. No matter what programme of education we provide, children are influenced by the attitudes of their parents. We need to consider where we should focus our attention. We can focus on schools, but do we need to do additional work by focusing it on parents? How would we go about that? Would we need to focus on a number of different areas or is there a specific area on which we need to focus in respect of the role of parents?

I thank the delegates for their presentations which were comprehensive and constructive.