John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I support what Senator O'Toole and others have had to say with regard to the coverage of the unfortunate case concerning the death of a young man at the Club Anabel nightclub. I also endorse what Senator O'Toole said about establishing a press council. The establishment of such a council has been recommended many times but when, in particular, it is suggested that it should be a statutory body, there is a squawk of complaint from the press. It also appears that people are set up and misrepresented when they are asked questions regarding such cases. I suspect the young lady who was the unfortunate victim of coverage last Sunday, was one of those people. I know for a fact that a secretary of a past pupils' union was approached on the basis that the article would be about past pupils' unions, whereas the real purpose was to work it into the story of these unfortunate events.

If we are concerned about these matters, as we should be, it is obvious that drink is at the root of them. In those circumstances one must ask if it is correct that young people should be excluded from public bars. This matter was discussed at length when the legislation went through the House. I was one of those who suggested to the Minister that there would be difficulties with people going on hotel holidays. The Minister made it quite clear that all public areas in a hotel would be available to children, even where their parents were drinking, but not the bar. That is a reasonable approach to take.

Free offers were made illegal under that legislation. Discounted or free drink was available in Club Anabel and that should not happen.