Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I examined the report and I am preparing heads of legislative proposals based on that report. I will be bringing them before the Government in a matter of weeks. I hope to publish the heads along with the report so that all parties in the House will have the opportunity to examine them before the definitive legislation is published. The report makes a large number of recommendations, some of which will be implemented in the legislation. Some additional matters outside of the report also require urgent attention. All of these matters will be brought before the other parties as quickly as possible. I appreciate that Deputy Flanagan wants the earliest possible opportunity to examine these matters. I hope to facilitate all Members of the House in that regard.

On the more general issue of drinking and drinking patterns and their effects on public order and health, there has been a significant change in the patterns of consumption in recent years. There has been a shift from drinking in licensed premises to drinking at home and elsewhere. This shift must be reflected in any legislation we introduce. We will not solve the problem with one Act, but will need a number of enactments over a number of years to deal with the situation. However, we need to make a start on it urgently, before the summer, and that is my intention.

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