Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Perhaps Senator Henry would convey to her colleague that if a closure order is made in respect of a supermarket which is licensed for the sale of alcohol, it will carry the consequence that the supermarket will be closed. That will not be a pretty picture. The false economy of allowing staff at a checkout counter to deal with alcohol could lead to terribly serious consequences for supermarket owners if the kind of behaviour Senator Henry mentioned took place.

I agree with Senator Henry about the courts addiction treatment option. The more I thought about it after the debate on the matter, the more satisfied I was that it should be dealt with in a sentencing statute and general powers of the courts in criminal cases legislation rather than restricting it to cases under the licensing Acts. It should be more general in dealing with public order offences, domestic violence offences and many other offences where drink, unfortunately, plays a part.