Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Minister of State on his appointment. I am delighted for him. It is well deserved and a great honour for him and his constituents in north Kildare.

A recent study showed that adults in Ireland had the highest reported consumption per drinker and the highest level of binge drinking in comparison to adults in other European countries. One of the consequences of this, which I intend to discuss, is alcohol-related mortality. In the past ten years in Ireland, alcohol-related mortality has increased. Over that time, 14,233 people have died from six main alcohol related causes, which included cancers related to alcohol, chronic alcohol conditions, alcohol dependency, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, alcohol poisoning and suicide. The Irish water safety organisation says that 30% of all deaths from drowning were alcohol related.

Alcohol use during pregnancy is a growing concern because of the damage that can be done to the baby, especially during the early stages of pregnancy when the central nervous system is developing. A recent study of women attending an Irish maternity hospital reported that 85% of the women continued to drink during pregnancy.

The report of the strategic task force on alcohol spells out the recommendations. However, as the Minister stated in his contribution:

The task ahead of us as a Government and as a society must not be underestimated. Introducing a climate where a cultural change can take place is a considerable challenge. . .

I would like the Government to do what the former Minister for Health and Children did in regard to smoking. It is a pleasure for me to go into the Dáil bar to have a cup of tea and a sandwich. Previously, I could only get as far as the door due to the wave of smoke. While I gave up smoking 20 years ago, I have sympathy for those who smoke but find it difficult to give up. However, I am glad I can now enjoy the benefit of an extra refreshment area in the Houses. Despite the fact that sales in public houses have dropped, the industry has a chance to develop a nice environment where people can go for coffee or a meal.

I regularly visit Northern Ireland. It fascinates me that, in the North, one is offered a cup of tea whereas at a meeting or social occasion in the Republic, drink is offered. There is an acceptance of alcohol and the figures from the task force suggest we have a serious problem.

Last week, a relation of mine attended a football match in Greece involving an English team. Following the match, the Greeks drank cups of coffee but the English drank beer. We must deal with this issue and the need to have drink on every occasion. Given the vision shown by the previous Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, the current Minister, Deputy Harney, should tackle this issue and try to change the cultural acceptance of alcohol. As Senator MacSharry noted, drinkers in other countries sip their drinks and enjoy them while those in Ireland drink very quickly. The point is not that we intend to be spoilsports but that alcohol is a dangerous drug.