Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to participate in this important debate. For some of the past 11 months I had responsibility for health promotion, during which time I took a special interest in the marketing of alcohol, as well as the issues of communications and sponsorship. I am pleased progress was made with the industry during this period, culminating in an agreement between the Department of Health and Children and the sector to strengthen the code of practice. Compliance with the current code of practice stands at almost 100%, which leads me to believe that we will have full compliance with the stronger code of practice.

All Members are concerned about the impact of alcohol advertising on young people. I welcome the decision of the industry to buy into the strengthened code and pay tribute to it and the departmental officials with whom I worked for securing an agreement through a partnership approach. While it was suggested this matter should be addressed by way of legislation, I believed the objective could be achieved more expeditiously by strengthening codes of conduct because legislative measures would have taken a considerable period to implement.

I refer to this process because it is intertwined with the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008. This legislation is motivated by the concern of the alcohol advisory group that the display and sale of alcohol side by side with ordinary foods serve to create the false impression that alcohol is an ordinary retail product. The group's view was that restricting the sale and display of alcohol to a separate area would be beneficial. While this proposition is fine in theory, following meetings with representatives of the retail sector, including business people from my constituency, I concluded that implementing such a restriction would cause considerable disruption and impose considerable costs on smaller shops and supermarkets.

I am pleased retailers have, by and large, bought into the spirit of the Bill. Bearing in mind that the Minister shares Deputies' anxiety to enact the Bill before the summer recess, his meeting with representatives of the retail sector several weeks ago was welcome. The meeting culminated in a proposal to introduce a code of practice. The retail industry has shown good will on this issue and is anxious to submit a proposal to the Minister, one I hope he will be in a position to accept.

The proposed restriction is a matter of concern for small and medium-sized businesses in the retail sector which provide services in rural areas and towns but may not prove too onerous for larger businesses. I understand off-licences which decide to sell goods other than alcohol may not be required to comply with the requirement to separate alcoholic and non-alcoholic goods, whereas businesses with an off-licence which are engaged substantially in the sale of non-alcoholic goods would be required to comply with the provision. I accept, however, that the problem would only arise if the legislation were enacted as presented. This is no longer the case, thanks to the pragmatic approach taken by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern.

The vast majority of retailers do not want to make a profit from young people and realise, as Deputies do, that young people are vulnerable and habits formed at an early age persist throughout life. Retailers do not want to be party to this problem and are concerned about the name over the door of their businesses.

The Minister addressed the issues I raise in his Second Stage contribution, which is welcome. Nevertheless, I am concerned about the necessity of the decision to block up the courts with 5,000 to 6,000 wine licence applications. It remains to be seen if this potential problem materialises and it is the Minister's call as to whether applications should continue to be made to the Revenue Commissioners. We should consider the impact of requiring retailers of wine to go to court every year to secure a wine licence.

Secondary purchasing is a major problem which cannot be dealt with by the retail sector. The authorities must clamp down on the practice which is difficult to detect. Most of those who buy drink in shops and take it outside to minors are responsible people. A major change in culture is required. We must call on people to drink in greater moderation because it is in the best interests of everyone, especially young people. Drinking at an early age has an impact later in life.

While the early opening of licensed premises was important in rural and coastal areas a long time ago, this is no longer the case. I would not have a difficulty with a ministerial decision to close early houses. I accept, however, that this is an issue in cities. I am confident the Minister will do what he believes is right.

Mar focal scoir, tá áthas orm go bhfuair mé deis páirt a ghlacadh sa dhíospóireacht seo ar feadh cúpla nóiméad. Fágfaidh mé mar sin é.

See this speech in context