Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

It is now almost a year and a half since the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill started its passage through the Oireachtas. It has been moving at a snail's pace. In that period, there have been 1,600 alcohol-related deaths. Approximately 800,000 bed-nights have been taken up in hospitals as a result of alcohol-related illnesses, and there have 420,000 absenteeism days as a result of alcohol abuse. That is imposing a huge human and economic cost on the entire country. The Taoiseach said recently that the completion of this Bill would be a priority. Will he tell us what his proposed timescale is for the completion of this long-awaited legislation? What is the target date for its implementation?

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