Imelda Henry (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentation. People will know that I have spoken regularly for the past four years on this issue. It has taken far too long for us to get to this stage, but it is welcome we are at it now.

The two main problems we have with alcohol abuse in this country are availability and price. Some members have mentioned segregation of alcohol in supermarkets and why section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 has not been implemented for many years. The supermarket industry is a very strong lobby. That is probably the reason it has not happened, which is shocking. Cost should not come into it. When the Government decided to ban smoking from pubs, did anyone ask publicans how much it was going to cost? The alcohol for sale in supermarkets is far too cheap. I remember photographs submitted to this committee two years ago of selection boxes on top of slabs of beer. This issue has gone on far too long. I welcome the fact we will have minimum pricing, but as Mr. Padraig Cribben has said, it has to be at the correct price.