Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be very brief because I think I have addressed much of this already. To respond to Deputies O'Keeffe and Scanlon and the other Deputies who asked for clarity on directional signs, let me yet again state that directional signs are not classified as advertisements. They are allowed. The point Deputy Jonathan O'Brien made is also valid. We have many ways of finding our way around to visitor centres - Google Maps, satnavs and so on - but directional signs are allowed under the legislation.

To respond to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae's point as to whether the pub is allowed to advertise, the legislation is clear that an advertisement attached to a licensed premises is not included in the restrictions either, so the local pub advertising its existence with a sign attached to the licensed premises is indeed allowed.

To respond to Deputy Michael Collins's questions, the legislation is very clear as to who will carry out inspections in respect of the various compliance sections in the legislation, and that is the environmental health officers. They are the authorised officers in the legislation. I take and appreciate the point Deputy Scanlon makes. No one in this House has a monopoly on concern for people who have experienced very significant alcohol difficulties and for the harm alcohol has caused our country, families and communities right across the land. It is not good enough, however, for us just to understand. We must do something about this. In fairness to Deputies on the opposite side of the House, when their party was in government, it showed great courage on tobacco, not just saying we have a problem with smoking, but also doing something about it. It instigated a series of legislative measures in respect of public health and tobacco, and successive Governments, of which we are one, are building on that and seeing the benefit of it. We need to pass public health legislation in respect of alcohol because it is not enough for us all to say we know about the terrible problems. We must try to fix them. We must try to do something. We are not powerless in this House to act, and that is what this is about.

For all the reasons I have outlined, I am not in a position to accept the amendments.

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