Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I will raise my point as quickly as I can. One measure the Minister introduced was to ban children from public houses and hotel pubs after 9 p.m. although that was not necessary to deal with the problem of young people drinking. I have no relationship of any kind with hoteliers, apart from going to hotels occasionally on holidays, as I did in Castlebar for St. Patrick's Day.

The Irish Hotels Federation has made a reasonable suggestion on the basis that much hotel business comes from young parents whose children are often with them in the pubs in hotels, not drinking alcohol but because the parents do not want to leave them in the bedroom. It is relaxed and generally does not offend people. If people do not like the policy of one hotel they can go elsewhere. It is a part of hotel business and should be encouraged because like everyone else, parents need holidays and this is one way to relax where the children are in a protected environment. They can be with their children and enjoy the hotel facilities. At the recent Irish Hotels Federation conference the outgoing president of the federation said he had received substantial feedback from his members that this was affecting tourism and business. He added that parents do not feel comfortable leaving children unsupervised in bedroom areas while they enjoy a meal or entertainment elsewhere in the hotel.

The relaxed pace of life with little bureaucracy attracts visitors to Ireland but these restrictions present a different face. The outgoing president of the Irish Hotels Federation proposed the introduction of a children certificate system similar to that in the United Kingdom which would allow gardaí to grant suitable hotels permission to have children with their parents in the bar areas after 9 p.m. where food was being served or where there was family entertainment. He called for that to be introduced before the tourism season begins. It is important for visitors and for Irish people who cannot go abroad on holidays because of their stage of life or finances. I hope the Minister of State will listen to this reasonable point.

The Minister should perhaps consider tackling the problem of young people drinking through an agency similar to the drugs task forces. He could implement projects in pilot areas where there is a high proportion of people in their early teens and provide them with alternatives activities for their spare time and measure the results. He also could provide them with the necessary finance and resources.

We always call for debates on this issue near St. Patrick's Day, Easter or Christmas because the problem is exacerbated at these festive times. The Garda and other bodies could make a more concentrated effort to deal with that. I was in Castlebar on St. Patrick's night and the place was covered in litter. I mean no disrespect to Castlebar, where I enjoyed my time. No doubt the problem was the same in Dublin. The litter wardens should be out on that day. Councils should put in extra resources and pay people overtime or whatever is necessary to cover those events. They should also fine those who drop litter. Likewise, the gardaí should be on the street on those occasions in particular. Even if the Garda Síochána has a shortage of resources it can at least make a concerted effort at these times.

There have been widespread reports about club events, for example at the Point, where 14 and 15 year olds take drugs. That is far more serious. I query event organisers who admit young people, claiming they can be supervised. It is hard to believe that they do not somehow permit alcohol to be given to these people and turn a blind eye to drug-taking or fail to take enough action. A great deal needs to be done in that area. At least we know something of the effects of alcohol whereas the use of drugs is a great unknown against which we need to protect our young people.