Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

One of the most staggering figures I have seen in a long time is that 16 and 17 year olds in Ireland spend approximately €145 million a year on alcohol. We all know it is not possible to put an old head on young shoulders and that we need to divert young men and women away from alcohol-related activities. The only way they seek such diversion is through sport and community activity. However, we do not provide enough facilities in communities to allow that to happen. We have magnificent organisations, the IRFU and the GAA, etc., but some teenagers do not want to join these clubs and want alternatives. There was a very sad case in Cork recently.

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