Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)

I might get a reply to my question when the Minister, Deputy Martin, returns from Dundalk. I understand the groceries order was not intended to cover alcohol but the Minister received advice to the effect that it might have a negative effect on the promotion of alcohol. The Minister's agency is claiming it is not an issue but that is not the case. This matter must be given careful consideration. The Minister has taken responsibility in respect of other issues, so I hope he will not let us down in respect of this one.

The report of the Competition Authority recommends that we should increase the tax and excise duty on alcohol. I do not agree with it in this regard. Below-cost selling encourages the promotion of alcohol, which is wrong. However, increasing the tax will hurt everyone, moderate as well as binge drinkers. I would like, at some stage, to hear the Minister's opinion on this matter. I would not want to be associated with a Department that wants to penalise everyone — people who drink in moderation and those who binge drink. The Competition Authority stated in the introduction to its report that it does not want to see the introduction of mechanisms that will penalise all drinkers. As already stated, however, in its recommendations it advocates an increase in the tax on alcohol. That is strange.

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