Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the matters to which Deputy Dowds referred will be the subject of a presentation by the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, at the Cabinet sub-committee next Monday. However, it does not take a particular day for there to be, in accident and emergency wards around this country, a situation which, to put it mildly, is not very nice. Some 2,000 beds every night are occupied in our country because of the consequences of drink. This is not because of any individual firm or any individual day, but is part of our culture. It needs to change because of the impact it is having on people's health, the way it wrecks families and because of the societal change it brings about, not to mention the cost involved. I am sure this will form part of the presentation of the Minister of State.

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