Ms Paula Leonard:

In terms of an evidence base, the bottom line is we do not know. The figures that I have supplied at this meeting and in our submission have been extrapolated from international studies that used population level data and where the relevant figures were known. Studies have examined drinking rates in Ireland and the number of women who have self-reported drinking during pregnancy and extrapolated from those figures. It is likely that the figures in Ireland are higher. From addiction services, we know that the number of people who are presenting with more than one addiction, for example, alcohol plus drugs, is increasing in Ireland. This must be addressed in policy and services.