Professor Frank Murray:

To me, the big problem is the supermarkets, the convenience stores and the petrol stations where it is hard to see the same levels of enforcement with regard to selling to people who are under age or selling vast quantities.

The point the Deputy made about size is interesting. There is no such thing as a six pack any more; it is now a slab and that has come about through clever marketing by the alcohol industry. Outlets are now selling much bigger quantities. According to Alcohol Action Ireland, there has been a 500% increase in the number of off licences in the past 20 years. I do not see the social benefit of that, and what the Deputy said in that respect is right. In addition to the fiscal measures being suggested here, I encourage members to take back to their parties and to the Houses of the Oireachtas the message that there is a need to take other steps beside price measures. Deputy Spring was correct when he said that the availability of alcohol is an issue and he is right on the money when he said that there is a need to restrict the sale of high potency alcohol. I would support that.