David Norris (Independent)

I wish to share time with Senator Cummins. I compliment the Minister on his brief, clear and logical speech. It is not necessary to repeat the figures but it is worrying that Ireland is how head of the EU table in terms of alcohol consumption. This is not civilised, sophisticated drinking where one enjoys a glass of wine or a liqueur but binge drinking.

This debate is on alcohol consumption by young people. The problem is caused by three factors. First, young people have a much higher disposable income than previously. Second, there is greater availability and greater visibility of drink products. Third, there is huge promotion of drink by multinationals. This is no longer Uncle Arthur but Diageo and other such companies. In their board rooms in New York and London, they look at a graph and realise they can squeeze the Irish market. They do not give a damn about the young people. There are decent pub owners and a decent way to drink but they do not reside in the board rooms of these companies.

I have put my money where my mouth is. Recently I was offered a fair amount of money to do work which would involve this type of promotion. However, I felt it would be dishonest since I had campaigned against this and raised the issue many times in the House. I did not do so in antagonism to civilised drinking but because I am concerned about the problem. I warned on previous occasions that there would be deaths in the O'Connell Street area if something was not done about it.

I am glad the issue of sexual behaviour was raised. We have heard a great deal about date rape drugs such as rohypnol. Unfortunately, in many cases it is not rohypnol. It is due to young women being so blind drunk they have no idea what is happening. I have seen them, and they have been shown on television, emptying the contents of their stomachs on the sidewalks of central Dublin. It is a most unattractive sight. I hope they feel ashamed and awkward about it afterwards. I do not wish them ill but there is almost no shame involved in it. We must try to change the culture for this reason.

I am glad Senator Kitt referred to the organisations dealing with this. People used to laugh at them. Fr. Matthew's Pioneer Total Abstinence Association did tremendous work and was necessary in the 19th century. These organisations are equally necessary now and they should be encouraged. People should not be told that they are not alive if they are not drinking alcohol. The advertising is terribly dishonest. It is also difficult to deal with because there is penetration of the airwaves by satellite television stations broadcasting from other countries. Almost universally the message is that one will have a fantastic sex life if one drinks as much as possible. That is as bad as telling young people in the Middle East that if they blow themselves up, there will be 71 virgins waiting for them on a cloud.

There is a responsibility on the community. I salute Dr. Mick Loftus. He is a former president of the GAA and he led a campaign, which cannot have been popular, to limit the promotion of drink at sporting events. He saw the dangers of linking sporting prowess with drink.

This Government had a remarkable success, and was courageous, in attacking the issue of smoking. It can do the same by taking vigorous action, even if it is unpopular, with regard to drink. It sometimes is unpopular. I have raised these concerns on many occasions and sometimes I have spoken intemperately. About 18 months ago I spoke twice on television on this subject and particularly about the way licences seem to pop up all over the place. I cannot say much about it because a member of the Judiciary, of whose existence I was completely unaware, believed I was referring to him personally and initiated proceedings against RTE. He received a substantial settlement before the matter went to court but because I did it again a few weeks later, another case is pending.