John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I join in the Cathaoirleach's welcome to our colleagues from the United States. It is very good to see them in the Seanad. I do not know how much time I have to deal with all the questions that have been asked, but I am running out of paper.

Senators Brian Hayes, Ó Murchú, Ormonde, Maurice Hayes and Leyden raised the GAA report into alcohol and questions concerning sponsorship by firms promoting alcohol. I take the point made about small clubs and the degree to which they might rely on local licensed premises or hostelries in their activities. It is a very difficult issue. We are obviously all concerned by alcohol abuse in society. The sporting organisations have a role to play, and the GAA, as the principal such organisation, has a dominant role. The extent to which sponsorship influences consumption is questionable. The GAA is grappling with this difficult issue. The call for a wider debate by Senator Leyden is appropriate, and perhaps we should return to it in the autumn. We have debated it before with regard to young people, and I share Senator Maurice Hayes's view regarding the difference between rhetoric and behaviour, which is very evident and perhaps something we should examine.

Senators Brian Hayes, O'Toole, Mansergh, Ross and Jim Walsh mentioned the ESRI report on benchmarking. I am grateful to Senator O'Toole and others for replying to Senator Brian Hayes on this matter as it absolves me from the obligation to do so.