Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

This is an important issue about which I have called for debate for some time. I welcome the Minister of State and note he is representing the Minister for Health and Children as opposed to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, although the issue comes within the remit of both Departments. Therefore, it is good the Minister of State is here because he deals with both.

The issue of binge drinking and the spectacle of teenagers and young adults on our streets in a drunken state is of huge concern to all of us, particularly parents. How can we tackle this and what can we do? The Minister of State's contribution makes very good points. However, I would have liked to have seen more action in respect of what the Minister proposes to do. There is an onus on the legislators to do something to tackle this huge problem.

The proceedings of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children of 20 March 2003 also make for interesting reading. A number of consultants from various hospitals around the country were invited before the committee. Dr. Eamon Brasil from the Mater Hospital stated that in October 2001, his staff performed an audit of 1,500 consecutive attendances to the accident and emergency department over a 24 hour basis to see the effects of alcohol on patients. Some 76% of the forms were returned from 1,000 people. Alcohol was a factor in 24% of all attendances and 13% of those presenting were deemed by medical or nursing staff to be clinically intoxicated. Consumption of alcohol was the direct cause of the presentation to the emergency department in 10% of cases and was indirectly involved in approximately 14% of cases.

Therefore, alcohol affects not just the people who present in a drunken state to accident and emergency departments but also those who suffer at the hands of those who are in a drunken state. People who are drunk are also a danger to themselves in terms of falling over and receiving injuries. Dr. Mary Holohan of the sexual assault treatment unit of the Rotunda Hospital stated that a total of 60% of the clients they see have ingested alcohol. She went on to state: "The worrying aspect is that between 1998 and 2002, there was an increase from 6% to 27% in the number of cases where we were asked to evaluate the possibility of a sexual crime because the person concerned could not remember what had happened". The Minister of State alluded to such issues. It is extremely worrying that our young people are at such risk, particularly young girls, who drink so much that they do not know whether or not they have had a sexual encounter.

Dr. Chris Luke of Cork University Hospital stated that the majority of cases of child abuse and domestic violence and most cases of public disorder and violence on the streets of our cities are associated with drunkenness. He went on to state that more than 50% of domestic violence cases against females are alcohol related and at least 20% of inappropriate ambulance call outs are due to alcohol intoxication. It makes interesting reading. The cost of all this to the State through the health services is enormous.

The drinks industry has a huge responsibility in terms of how it advertises and presents its drink to all of us, but particularly in respect of its influence over young people. I have carried out some research on this matter and discovered from RGDATA that the off-licence market in Ireland is worth €1.2 billion, of which the multiples, including Tesco, Dunnes Stores and Superquinn, have two thirds of the market. I am concerned at the aggressive marketing being undertaken by some of these companies, particularly Tesco. These companies are selling drink at cost price to encourage people to come into the stores. We cannot stand over such aggressive marketing. The Director of Consumer Affairs is taking a case against Dunnes Stores for selling drink below cost. We must target these areas and ensure that drink is not being sold at cost price, or below cost price, to our young people. This is one of the reasons they drink so much. Supermarkets are not selling drink below cost for the good of their customers' health. They are doing so for profit. Nevertheless, while making profit they must be cognisant of the damage they may be doing to young people. The Groceries Order covers the drinks industry and I am glad the Director of Consumer Affairs is keeping a watchful eye on this area.

The issue of advertising must be tackled. Supermarkets think nothing of taking out four page advertisements in Sunday newspapers, admittedly not only for drink. Aggressive marketing is influencing young people to buy drink at low prices.

One of the doctors who spoke at the Joint Committee on Health and Children referred to the danger of stimulant drinks, particularly to young girls, among whom they are popular. Stimulant drinks quickly make people very drunk. He said:

I am especially worried about stimulant drinks, especially those taken by young girls. Heretofore, people drank a certain amount, got drunk and began to lose control. Stimulant drinks allow them to drink more, keep going and get ossified. They are also in control and do a lot of damage if they want. A drunk with a stimulant drink can engage in an assault whereas a drunk without it would probably miss and fall over.

We often wonder how young people who have had a great deal to drink can be so aggressive. According to the doctor this is due to the effect of stimulant drinks, which make the drinker aggressive.

I have heard the Minister for Health and Children speaking about banning drink in certain places and banning alcohol advertising. We are, more and more, becoming a nanny state. I do not wish to see more laws enacted. I want to see the laws we have being enforced. The Intoxicating Liquor Act makes it an offence for any person to be present in a public place while intoxicated to such an extent as would give rise to a reasonable apprehension that the person might endanger themselves or any other person in the vicinity. How many people have been arrested under that provision? The Act also prohibits the supply of intoxicating liquor to drunken persons by licensees, as well as drunkenness in the bars of licensed premises. How many licensees have been prosecuted for serving drink to people who are already in a drunken state? Another provision states that a drunken person shall not be allowed into a bar, and where a person is drunk on leaving the licensed premises it shall be presumed that the person was drunk while on the premises unless the contrary is proved. How many licensees have been prosecuted under that provision?

The Intoxicating Liquor Act requires that any drink sold in an off-licence must show the name and address of the licensee. That measure has not been enforced, although it would be extremely helpful. Young people are drinking in parks and other public places which is, of course, illegal. Last weekend, I informed the Garda of anti-social behaviour by a number of young people who were openly drinking in a public place. The gardaí did not come; I presume they had more serious business to attend to.

I outline a number of provisions already in place which, if they were enforced, would make a difference. We must not always target young people. Some of the older members of our community do not give good example in this regard. We need to see gardaí on the street arresting people who are in a drunken state and a danger to themselves and others. People will then see there is no point in getting drunk. We have seen the effect of penalty points on motorists. Enforcement is the answer. We know that young people are drinking to excess and arriving in hospitals as a result. Why are gardaí not enforcing the laws which are already there?

I do not want to hear of prohibition from the Minister for Health and Children, as has happened in the case of cigarettes. The message of enforcement must go back to the Minister. The issue of selling drink at cost price, which is unacceptable, must be tackled. I hope these matters will be addressed by the Minister.