Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I will deal with the matter quickly because I am losing time. The Bill is in response to public concern. I remember debates in the Seanad in recent months in which such concerns were expressed. The public asked for this Bill and wants the issue to be solved once and for all. How do we go about this? We started with the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill, have addressed the issue of under age drinking very nicely and are now dealing with the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. There are pitfalls – nothing is absolute. That is the reason we are discussing the matter. We are now discussing licensed premises to see how they can help to curtail the problems of drunkenness, binge and under age drinking.

One is taking one's life in one's hands going out at the weekend. I was going to a film in Temple Bar on Friday last at 6.30 p.m. and young people were sitting around with their packs of drink. I have no doubt they were there long that time. There were huge droves of young people almost liquored up at that time. I looked at them, knowing I would be contributing to this debate today. There is something wrong with our culture if we allow ourselves to go down this road. I ask the Minister to play tough on it and I am with him. There is no way other than the holistic approach. It will not be easy.

I welcome sections 4 to 8, inclusive, which deal with drunkenness. The Minister will have no trouble handling that issue because we can all see the drunk in the pub. If we are in the pub, it is up to us to remind the barman of the legislation and that he should not sell him drink. We would have no difficulty in helping the barman or the worker. As citizens we have a role here. The blame should not be put totally on the publican. He has a major role to play and he may also have a crowded bar and may be trying to serve everybody. This is also a public relations exercise as the information must get got out to the public at large that the legislation has been introduced. One can now say to a barman that he cannot serve a drink to a particular person, that he can be removed. The Garda can come in, whether in uniform or not, and remove him. This is the way forward and it is a great protection for the public.