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

The St. Patrick's Day parade is in danger of becoming a shrine to our binge drinking culture. As a society, we must learn to find other ways of socialising and enjoying ourselves. The Mediterranean way of life — enjoying a sociable drink or two, with good food and in good company — has much to recommend it.

The Bill also deals with the huge increase in the availability of alcohol. The number of off-licences has increased by 70% since 2001. During the same period, the number of wine-only off-licences has trebled. New measures will make it tougher to obtain off-licence permits and, for the first time, such measures will apply in respect of wine-only licences.

As stated earlier, convenience stores and supermarkets blatantly advertise cut-price alcohol. Posters advertising cheap alcohol are clearly aimed at both binge drinkers and those who are under age.

See this speech in context