Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

It is interesting, regarding No. 1, that the devolution of powers lasted less than 24 hours when the Department of Agriculture and Food took up the issue. However, we live in hope.

Does the Deputy Leader agree that the GAA should be commended on the report it published yesterday? The report produced many recommendations concerning the role of alcohol in sport. The GAA is the first major sporting body to have produced such a report and it is welcome. While it is easy to blame alcohol sponsorship for all our woes, including the number of teenage drinkers and the level of consumption of alcohol among young people, it must be recognised that sponsorship by small public houses and drinks companies is the financial backbone of many teams, particularly the county teams. Before we go down the road of banning such sponsorship, we should consider this issue carefully. Organisations depend on independent funding and sponsorship deals from companies such as these. It is important——