Ms Paula Leonard:

We have heard some valuable contributions. One of the things we are concerned about is the speed at which this legislation was brought to Government and is now moving. It is important to delay the adoption of this legislation, first of all to explore how the public health objective can be embedded in the legislation. We need to consider how the child protection objective can be embedded. There are significant potential risks in the legislation as it is currently configured in respect of the health, well-being and protection of children.

The other reason I would suggest real consideration is given to this legislation is that there will be implications for policing, health services, ambulance services and the resources required. In particular, we must consider the police services required. I know that in its submission, the Garda was concerned that if there were to be an extension of hours, adequate resources would need to be provided by the Department of Justice to ensure the safety and well-being of people and to allow for the management of public disorder.

Before he left, Senator Martin asked if this was an insurmountable difficulty. Pubs are closing and nightclubs are closing. We had got to a situation where there was an 85% decrease in nightclubs and a 25% increase in licensed trade through legislation. We removed the groceries order. We changed how we sold alcohol. There has been an increase of over 200% in the off-licence trade. We got into this situation through legislation. It is incumbent upon us to acknowledge that legislation is important in shaping how people access alcohol, how much alcohol they consume and where they consume it. Alcohol is at the moment largely consumed in the home. I understand there were objectives in this legislation about reducing the levels of alcohol-related harm on young people. However, as it is currently configured, this legislation is not going to achieve what it sets out to do. There needs to be more debate. We are not just here on our own behalf. We are here to represent the regional and local drug and alcohol task forces in urban and rural settings. We commissioned a Red C poll to see what the population thinks. Some 59% of people think that the licensing laws are significant and there should be wider consultation. Some 74% of people said what we believe strongly, that is, resources need to be provided for policing, health services, child protection services and all the negative knock-on impacts that will follow on from the legislation as it is currently configured.