Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have many concerns about how the Bill has progressed, because at the beginning it sought to protect youngsters from drinking too much and to stop alcohol from being too readily available at cheap prices for them. However, this Bill has gone all over the place, proposing to cover bottles with cancer warnings, among other things.

This amendment would mean that people could not have a drink without being charged for it. I want to make a few points on this.

Many retrograde things have happened to rural Ireland since I came here. In rural Ireland, there is a thing called a wake. People go to wakes and stay with the family for a few hours, and a few drinks are given to the guests. Are we going to police an event like that, so that a person cannot take a drink at a wake? In rural Ireland there is also something called a station, where mass is said in a house. Each house's turn comes around after four or five years. A few drinks are provided. However, as the Deputy said, to take a drink or not is a person's choice. I do not drink but I have nothing against those who do. The word is "moderation". This amendment is open to an interpretation whereby opening ceremonies or book launches, where a glass of wine is provided, would be illegal.

Rural Ireland has a thing called a ball night at which a locality or a parish celebrates. People dance and play music and drinks are available that do not have to be paid for. They are paid for by the people who organise the ball night. Likewise there are Biddy balls. I do not know if any Members know what a Biddy ball is.

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