Tony Kett (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister. I do not know who informed him recently that he was talking the talk, but not walking the walk. With five or six Bills in as many weeks, we are certainly running to keep up with him. I was surprised to hear some Opposition Members state that the Minister is moving too fast with the Bill. Since 1997, they have been seeking debates on this issue and for action to be taken. Now that action is being taken, we are being asked for papers to be produced which might delay the Bill for two or three years. Now is the time to deal with this problem because it is at its worst.

The Bill tackles drunkenness, disorderly conduct and addresses under age binge drinking. The Minister consulted widely before bringing it before the House. He consulted the Commission on Liquor Licensing and the strategic task force and took on board all their recommendations. He also consulted the social partners. It is reasonable to state that he consulted wisely and has brought broad legislation before us.

There is no doubt that we, as a nation, have lost the run of ourselves in respect of alcohol. Everything nowadays seems to revolve around drink. If there is a birth there is a booze-up, if there is a marriage there is another one and there is also one for a death. Every moment in between provides an occasion for drinking, in some capacity or other. I can recall in the place I work the general topic on a Monday morning between teenagers, 20 year olds, 30 year olds is how the weekend went and how much people had to drink, where they were and so forth. There is almost a prize-giving ceremony for the individual who consumed the most.

I went to the Dublin-Laois match on Sunday. On the way home I dropped into my local to have something to eat. I came back there five hours later to see the same people there at 11 p.m., some of them falling into their drinks. Senator Jim Walsh referred to "the sin of leaving drink behind". These people were spilling it, which to my mind is even worse.

The publican at this local has a clearing up time for children of 7 p.m. The match was over at 5.40 p.m., so it was a rush for certain families to get there and have their meal and their few drinks. At 7 p.m. the publican was ordering all children off the premises. That was too soon, given the circumstances. Maybe 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. is reasonable.