Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I am happy to support the motion although I see a lot of sense in what Deputy Higgins said, that funding from this source should be ring-fenced for the health needs of people who are damaged by tobacco products. Many members of the public will be disappointed at the failure of this budget to address the issue of below cost selling of alcohol and the ready availability of low-cost alcohol through the chain supermarkets to young people in particular. In his Budget Statement, the Minister for Finance made some reference to this and talked about the report being prepared by the Minister of State, Deputy Róisín Shortall. A number of reports have been produced on this subject and perhaps the Taoiseach has an opportunity, when responding, to indicate what timeframe he is considering-----

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