Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am a pioneer so the measure does not affect me. However, I reflect the views of a lot of people because alcohol plays a complex role in Irish society and it is associated with many aspects of social and cultural life. It is generally consumed for enjoyment and relaxation in a sociable setting. The pub plays an important role in this regard because it is a controlled environment within which people drink providing as it does an over-arching view of what people drink. The pub trade in rural Ireland is under threat. I have no problem getting more money from the drinks industry and it is high time that a social responsibility tax was levied on the drinks industry. Accident and emergency departments are filled with people suffering the effects of alcohol, in particular at the weekends, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. I say this as someone who has helped out in many of these areas.

The real excise issue to address is alcohol that is cheap relative to its strength. These measures proposed today could undermine the pub trade. I call on the Taoiseach to bring forward the minimum unit price legislation without delay. The Minister of State, Deputy White, has brought a memo to Government. It is about time the memo was elevated to a more prominent level. There is no reason to delay. It may require North-South co-operation but the time has come to recognise good public houses for what they are.

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