Noel O'Flynn (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased my colleagues in Cork County Council introduced similar legislation in certain parts of the county following years of being asked to do so.

Parts of certain towns and cities turn in to no-go areas at certain times of the day and night. Gangs of people binge drinking and loitering in public spaces are a source of intimidation and anxiety to local residents. This is particularly noticeable in the summer months when people are out and about more in the evenings and school children are on their summer holidays. One of the provisions in the Bill will enable the Garda to seize alcohol from a person of any age who is causing nuisance in public. Another provision deals specifically with those aged under 18 years who are in possession of alcohol. New powers under the Bill will enable the Garda to seize the alcohol and impose punitive fines for teenagers unwilling to allow alcohol to be seized.

The extent and seriousness of our binge drinking culture can be put in context when one considers the figures the Minister cited in his address to the House last week. That Irish people consume more alcohol than any of our European neighbours will surprise some people. It is shocking, however, that on average every Irish person aged 15 years and over consumes 20.8 units of alcohol per week. This figure does not include the 20% of adults who do not drink. The Minister also cited the 2007 Eurobarometer survey which found that 34% of Irish drinkers consumed five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting compared with the EU average of 10%.

The impact of this drink culture can be felt at all levels of society, whether in drink related deaths on our roads, alcohol injuries, which account for almost 30% of all cases in accident and emergency departments, or the corrosive effect alcohol has on family life in every townland in the country.

The vast majority of publicans run orderly licensed premises and do not tolerate binge or heavy drinking. Much of the problem is due to young people and not so young people buying slabs of beer and bringing them to houses. Young people also drink shots and vodka is extremely popular among them. I checked the position in this regard and I am aware of what is happening. Before they go out at night, the people to whom I refer are well set up from the point of view of alcohol. They do not frequent pubs but instead go directly to nightclubs. I am not stating that these individuals are being disorderly but they are drinking alcohol in an uncontrolled environment, namely, in people's houses. People are consuming large amounts of alcohol and their behaviour is giving rise to some of the difficulties being experienced.

Alcohol has crept into every facet of Irish life. We celebrate with champagne, drown our sorrows over a few pints, enjoy a summer's day with a pint of cider in a beer garden and have a hot toddy on cold dark winter nights.

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