Seanad debates

Wednesday, 18 June 2003

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed).

 

There is a growing and worrying tendency to opt for prohibition. The attitude is that drink is bad. Therefore, let us do the same about it as the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, is doing about tobacco. They are two different commodities. Cigarettes injure one's health but drink does not, unless an excessive amount is taken. It can be taken in proper moderation. I agree that the happy hour is a most unhappy experience. The happy hour is followed by another happy hour in which one pays full price for drink which is followed by a third, most unhappy, hour until it all disintegrates into mayhem. Happy hours are a stupid marketing exercise to get young people tanked up and quickly into a state of oblivion. I also agree with Senator Ryan. Why should one wish to boast the next day that one cannot remember what happened the previous night, who one met, what one said or did or where one was? If that is enjoyment, what a pitiful experience it is.

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