Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

The writer seemed detached. The Taoiseach has presided over a Government that in the past five years has seen an explosion in the number of drink outlets. Last year 4,600 alcohol retail outlets opened and, in the same year, the Taoiseach presided over the facilitation of 91,000 bar extensions. Will the Taoiseach sit down with his Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform before the publication of the sale of alcohol Bill and say the terms of reference of this legislation are too narrow and we need to examine breaking the link between alcohol and sport and glamorising alcohol, something the Taoiseach has been associated with in the past? This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The sale of alcohol Bill is too narrow.

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