Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Indeed. However, it is right for the reasons outlined. It was a sensible interpretation from the Minister and a pragmatic one from the Attorney General. I can also understand the position of the Director of Public Prosecutions and how his office viewed the matter. I support the Bill.

I would like to cover some broader issues. The Minister will be aware that recently there was a report from the task force on alcohol. I know that it is not his Department, but it impinges so much on it that I would like to make a few points about it. I am not sure whether I tabled a motion, but I certainly sent a note to the party leaders in this House over the past week seeking agreement for a debate which would examine the recommendations of the task force, implementation, current Government thinking and how we might move matters on.

Some of the proposals are revolutionary, especially that there should be an increase in excise duty. I firmly believe that, with current market forces, a pint will be down to €3 within the next six months. I am not sure whether Senator Bohan will be glad of my input on that issue. That will be extraordinarily good news for the Government, which should pick up the slack through excise duty. I listened to my erstwhile colleagues in IBEC recently trying to give two messages at the same time. On national radio and television, they tried to say we should reduce the price of drink to save the drinks industry, while at the same time ensuring that people do not drink too much. Perhaps someone might riddle me that one. I could not understand what they were saying and played it back, but it did not work. We must grasp the nettle on this question.

However, there are also other issues. I have thought long and hard about young people. I know the Minister has been sniggered at for saying this, but I too regret the fact that we do not have a developed café society in this country, something that I have said to him many times.