Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

In recent days, we have had unedifying episodes of Cabinet Ministers undermining the national substance misuse strategy and, in particular, undermining the Minister of State with responsibility for its implementation, Deputy Shortall, who has been brave in taking on the issue of alcohol abuse. When will legislation be introduced to implement minimum pricing for alcohol, which is a key part of the national substance misuse strategy? In view of the finding of a recent report commissioned by the National Suicide Research Foundation that up to 80% of suicides of young males were related to alcohol or substance abuse, this is clearly an issue of major importance.

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