Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)

With regard to the sale of alcohol Bill, we are about two and a half weeks from Hallowe'en. I am a member of two joint policing committees, in Fingal and Dublin City. Concern was expressed that those two county councils will not have the resources to manage the Hallowe'en festival, which includes running parties for the kids. Hallowe'en falls on a Sunday this year so we need people working right up to the festival. Can the Taoiseach confirm that he will ensure, with Deputy Gormley, that local authorities will have the resources to run a Hallowe'en festival that does not end up in mayhem for communities? With regard to the Bill itself, about seven years ago Deputy Costello proposed that each item of alcohol should include the retailer's name or code. This is a key requirement of the Bill. Can the Taoiseach confirm that the Bill will come forward and will he ensure there are resources for Sunday 31 October? In urban areas it can be very difficult for citizens.

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