Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I thought I had lived long enough not to be shocked by revelations relating to this nation's obsession with drink. In the context of Senator John Paul Phelan's request that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform come to the House to debate crime, I am sure the House will join with me in asking the Leader to afford us an opportunity to hear from the Minister what proposals he has to minimise the impact drink is having on youth culture.

Reports in today's national newspapers make horrifying reading. Reports from the Dublin hospitals refer to the number of young women arriving at casualty departments in a comatose state whose drink levels are higher than those of some who have died. That is a shocking indictment of society. Parents have a real responsibility. The question should be asked if they know the whereabouts of their children. In the past couple of months the Minister has made public pronouncements in this area. The statistics are frightening and it is past time that we, as legislators, spoke out.

In my county the newly elected chairman of the Connacht GAA, Tommy Moran, who the Cathaoirleach knows well, promised that he would not attend any GAA function involving young people where alcoholic drink was served. It is a courageous public stand in keeping with what Mick Loftus in County Mayo has been saying for years.