Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I thank Professor Barry, Professor Stockwell and Ms Costello for their useful and interesting presentations. It is timely that we are engaging in this debate a week after the conclusion of the St. Patrick's Festival. Alcohol misuse and the anti-social behaviour to which it gives rise tend to peak in the days during which the festival takes place. There was one high-profile incident in the city centre when a young man was knocked to the ground and kicked in the head. I received reports of anti-social behaviour at a location in my constituency. I will not name the place but people have informed me about out-of-control gangs engaging in anti-social behaviour there. I am sure such behaviour also occurs in other locations throughout the country. Do we have a self-image problem in the context of our national holiday and alcohol? Yesterday, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the death of Brendan Behan who made a career out of alcohol misuse. That image of the drinking Irishman tends to prevail. How should we go about addressing that?