Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 3: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to take in the context of the recent report of the alcohol advisory group. [14243/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I intend to bring the contents of the report of the alcohol advisory group to the attention of Government in the very near future. At the same time, I will seek the Government's approval of my proposals for the implementation of recommendations contained in the report. The group was asked to examine the following areas of concern — the increase in the number of supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations with off-licences and the manner and conditions of sale of alcohol products in such outlets, including below unit-cost selling and special promotions; the increasing number of special exemption orders which permit longer opening hours and which are being obtained by licensed premises around the country; and the use, adequacy and effectiveness of existing sanctions and penalties, particularly those directed towards combating excessive and under-age alcohol consumption.

I also intend to publish the legislation during the current session, and with the assistance and co-operation of both Houses, to have it enacted before the summer recess. I received the report at the end of March, but I decided not to publish it because there have been a sufficient number of reports on this particular area. Any report should be matched on publication with definitive Government proposals for the implementation of the recommendations in it.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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How does the Minister reconcile that with his previous answer?

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I will.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Touché.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the fact that the Minister engaged in setting up the committee and I was pleased to have the opportunity to make a submission when the chairman and members of the group met with the all-party Dáil committee. I am somewhat surprised that the Minister is sticking to his stated aim of having legislation enacted by the summer. I would have thought that if he was looking for the type of all-party agreement that he was hoping for on the previous issue, then he might let us have a look at the report and publish it.

Does he accept that over the last five years his Government has been responsible for an explosion in the number of outlets? The number of theatre licences have increased by 30% in the last five years. Special exemption orders were up 11% last year to a massive 91,000. There have been very serious public order consequences of this Government decision. There has been a 57% increase in such offences covering the period since the introduction of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003.

Time is of the essence, but the democratic process ordains that we have an opportunity to debate and scrutinise any proposals. We should be allowed to see the intention of the Minister and his colleagues at the earliest date possible.

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I examined the report and I am preparing heads of legislative proposals based on that report. I will be bringing them before the Government in a matter of weeks. I hope to publish the heads along with the report so that all parties in the House will have the opportunity to examine them before the definitive legislation is published. The report makes a large number of recommendations, some of which will be implemented in the legislation. Some additional matters outside of the report also require urgent attention. All of these matters will be brought before the other parties as quickly as possible. I appreciate that Deputy Flanagan wants the earliest possible opportunity to examine these matters. I hope to facilitate all Members of the House in that regard.

On the more general issue of drinking and drinking patterns and their effects on public order and health, there has been a significant change in the patterns of consumption in recent years. There has been a shift from drinking in licensed premises to drinking at home and elsewhere. This shift must be reflected in any legislation we introduce. We will not solve the problem with one Act, but will need a number of enactments over a number of years to deal with the situation. However, we need to make a start on it urgently, before the summer, and that is my intention.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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In the context of the narrow remit of the committee and bearing in mind the serious disturbances that took place in west Dublin on St. Patrick's Day, does the Minister intend to go beyond the remit and consider the matter of the age at which alcohol is available to people? Both the Garda Síochána and the Minister of State in the Minister's Department indicated that one of the difficulties with regard to the situation was that very young children, perhaps as young as ten or 11 years, were indulging on a regular basis in alcohol, which appeared freely available.

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State in question, Deputy Pat Carey, is not attached to my Department.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I referred to Deputy Seán Power.

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Sorry, forgive me. The reference to the constituency confused me, because the incident took place in Deputy Carey's constituency.

Some of the proposals brought forward by the advisory group reflect the need to develop robust provisions to prevent the sale and supply of alcohol to younger persons.