Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There are a number of facts that we accept about alcohol. Three people per day die of alcohol abuse in Ireland. We were discussing cannabis this week. There is no evidence of anyone having died from cannabis use over the past ten years in Ireland. Alcohol is a significant cause of many types of cancer and its consumption has strong links to suicide. We accept that alcohol advertising and promotion increase the likelihood that young people will start to use alcohol and drink more if they are already drinking it.

A big question should be asked as to whether the State should bear the cost of all alcohol abuse. Tax revenue from alcohol is currently €1.9 billion but we spend €3.7 billion dealing with alcohol abuse. This does not add up very well. Some €1.8 billion is missing. Should the taxpayer pay for that? If I run into someone's car and am found to be liable, I will be made pay for the damage. However, we have a funny approach to business. We have seen factories cause the death of trees close to their premises but they did not have to pay for them; the State picks up the tab. They are called externalities and the industry does not worry about them.

A big problem with selling many products at present is that the dominant political and economic philosophy, neoliberalism, values us only as consumers, not citizens. If there is a direct link between the alcohol industry and a Bill for the State, we must examine it. Right now, we are subsidising this harmful industry. I am as fond of a drink as anyone but I am talking not about the sensible use of alcohol but about its abuse.

We give sporting organisations approximately €40 million per year. Why do we not give them €200 million per year and send the bill to the alcohol industry? Does that make sense? Would it not deal with some of the issues? There should not be advertising of alcohol in sport, but sports organisations should not be denied the money they would otherwise receive. It is ridiculous how little money sports organisations are getting from the State. Is there anything more than sport that contributes positively to the development of good health in the State? I do not believe so.

The State is facing costs of €3.7 billion due to alcohol abuse, €1.5 billion due to tobacco use and over €1 billion - this figure is rising fast - due to obesity. Sport, however, which can do so much for us, will only get €40 million from the State. A young person cannot play with my Wexford Youths football team if he abuses alcohol badly, smokes or is obese. There are 450,000 people registered to play soccer, the biggest sport in the country. As it plays an incredible role in developing good health, we need to give it more direct State support rather than depending on sponsorship from a negative industry.

I am not interested in a nanny state. I would not ban McDonald’s or Coca Cola. However, if they cost the State as much as alcohol does, then those companies should be made to pick up the tab. It is not rocket science. We need joined-up thinking in this regard. It makes sense that those companies that cause damage are made to pay for it.

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