Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will take five minutes and Deputy Harkin will take the remaining time. The Minister may be aware that a fire in Letterkenny on 15 June affected HSE stores of PPE, as well as aids and appliances, such as wheelchairs and so on. Is the Department aware of that fire? What role will it take to ensure that equipment is replaced? Obviously, it will be of vital importance in the ongoing fight against Covid in County Donegal. It is of vital importance that it be replaced and that there will be no interruption to supply in the county. I ask the Minister to address that issue.

On alcohol and alcohol sales during lockdown, it was distressing for me to read of sales of alcohol having increased because pubs have been closed. It is a bit horrific, particularly when one considers that there are 88 alcohol-related deaths per month and that more than 200,000 children live in homes where parental alcohol misuse is a problem. A national campaign was started by the alcohol forum in Donegal and the Irish community action on alcohol network is entitled "Deliver change on drink deliveries". Interestingly, there has been a 15% increase in online sales of alcohol during the pandemic. Will the Minister support the aims of that campaign and change the process for the online purchase of alcohol? There are protections for people who buy alcohol over the counter but what is happening in respect of people who buy alcohol online and have it delivered to their home?

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