Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree very much with what Deputy O'Sullivan has said and the insight she has brought to this. I recently met with members of the Royal College of Physicians and had the opportunity to discuss these issues with them. The Deputy has outlined some of their concerns in her question. Although the proposals have not yet gone to Cabinet, the proposals I regard as important are also regarded as very important, relevant and necessary by the Royal College of Physicians. The Deputy mentioned the increasing instance of liver disease and she is right about that. On the broader population issue, the risk is very high for young people in particular, particularly older teenagers and those coming into adulthood, and it must be addressed.

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