Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State and his officials. As it is coming up to Christmas, this is a timely opportunity for us to highlight the problems caused by alcohol which will probably be exacerbated in the next couple of weeks and perhaps into the new year. I welcome the report of the strategic task force on alcohol and the many fine recommendations therein. I find it difficult to see how implementation of any of those recommendations can be accelerated as alcohol-related problems cover so many areas of responsibility, including the Departments of Health and Children, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Education and Science and Arts, Sport and Tourism and many other interest groups. A Department or a Minister should take responsibility for this issue and co-ordinate a plan because the situation is impossible.

The vested interests in the drinks industry are pulling in opposite directions. Many of us have come to accept that the vintners will call us in to tell us of the problems being caused by certain Departments and Ministers and of the dangers to them and their livelihoods as a result of new legislation restricting their activities.

Work done by the Garda is the only tangible evidence that anything has been done in a co-ordinated way to rectify the problems caused by alcohol. We must all acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the Garda to alleviate or reduce the problems caused by alcohol. Apart from the initiatives on speeding and so on, I am sure there will be an announcement on drink driving within the next few days, which will be welcome. However, I have spoken to gardaí who find it frustrating that having arrested a person for being incapable of driving or for behaving in a certain manner and having done their work in an excellent manner, that person goes free on a technicality.

Three weeks ago, a person was brought before the court for drink driving and was banned from driving but the ban was deferred for three months following an intercession by this person's legal team. The next day that person got drunk, was in charge of a car and killed an innocent man who was a husband and father, who had worked hard all his life. It must be very frustrating for the gardaí who made the initial contact and had to walk out of court that day realising that this person was, and still is, on the road. In all probability he will drink to excess again. Something must be done in such a situation. The day after the accident causing the death of another, this man should have been put off the road but it is not possible because he is innocent until proven guilty in another court. Something is wrong when he is allowed to go back on the road.

The statistics prove that this country is one of the highest consumers of alcohol in Europe. This report identifies one factor causing a decrease in alcohol consumption in the past 12 months, namely, the increase in excise, tariffs and taxes in the 2003 budget. It is ironic that although Departments have different areas of responsibility, the Minister for Finance was probably aware yesterday of this finding but imposed no increase in duty on alcohol, which is recognised as contributing to a reduction in overall alcohol consumption.

Many organisations have done great work in this area, for example, Alcoholics Anonymous whose members have identified the folly of their ways. This organisation has contributed significantly to the recovery of many people. Its groups meet every week and support people trying to abstain from alcohol. It is time to recognise the work of Alcoholics Anonymous and, perhaps, the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. They meet in halls and other venues such as the community centres mentioned by Senator Moylan.

Many voluntary organisations have costly overheads for insurance, lighting, heating and other such expenses. There is no recognition or compensation for that expense. Some Government agency or Department should support genuine effort when it is seen to be made. This may not always take the form of financial support, it could be the availability of trained personnel to talk to young people outside school hours. There are pressures in school, such as peer pressure which is very serious in the context of alcohol consumption.

As Senator Moylan said, very young people are on the streets at all hours which is the responsibility of us all as parents. Very few families have not been touched by the disastrous effects of drink, whether within the immediate or the extended group. That is a widespread national phenomenon which affects urban and rural areas. Some or all Departments need to recognise that while they can act tangibly on the issue they cannot do so in a determined, focused way. Someone must take absolute control of the problem and tackle it quickly.

We must comply with the demands of tourists. Not so long ago we debated in this House the importance of allowing families to be in public houses until 10 p.m., when the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform extended the time limit. When he introduced the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003 he suggested an extra hour which, perhaps, was reasonable. Then people said the pubs, the focus of social activity in rural areas, towns and so on, would close.

We responded to pressure from the vintners and the industry in general which, in some ways, was a shame. We are concerned to attract visitors from other parts of Europe and elsewhere but we have a culture of excessive drinking and must take responsibility for anything that leads to a continuation or expansion of that culture. We must draw a line, stand by it and accept our responsibilities in other ways.

When we consider a lack of revenue in certain areas we must look at the other side of the problem and see the cost of drunkenness to the Departments of Health and Children and Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the courts and the Garda, and look for some balance. Some responsible Minister and Department should be able to take up this point and lead with it.

I hope that everyone in the country will support gardaí when they are out and about intensively campaigning against drink driving. People should not see it as a nuisance but acknowledge that gardaí are protecting them. Otherwise if they are driving and meet a drunken driver they are likely to be mowed down. Everyone must be seen to support gardaí in their efforts. It is important that the Minister makes a public announcement that he intends to provide whatever financial or manpower resources are needed to enable gardaí to do that work for as long as they think necessary from now until after Christmas, to take the scourge of drunken drivers off the roads. Perhaps young people will realise then that they cannot go down the road that so many of us have taken in the past.