Mary Henry (Independent)

I thank the Minister and his officials for the time and effort they have put into this Bill. I do not know how well it will work but we must try to make sure it does. Some sections will make a big impact, for example, those which provide for the ending of the happy hour and sponsorship within pubs and the decision to keep young teenagers out of pubs. These are important measures.

I have listened with horror to the tales of those who work in the alcohol unit of the Department of Health and Children. Until we manage to do something about the causes of excessive drinking, we will not have as much impact as we would like. I will keep at the Minister to try to get people to associate their drunkenness with the problem of alcohol abuse. Whether we want to describe alcoholism as a disease or a serious social problem, I do not mind. Whichever it is, we must try to tackle the issue as it is costing us a fortune.