Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. There has been much common sense displayed in the House on this subject and the same common sense can be heard in any discussion around the country. If all the words of condemnation and exhortation were effective, we would all be walking models of sobriety. This is not a new problem so we must ask why there was a need for a strategic task force on alcohol. It is a recognition that this problem is now bordering on a crisis.

When the rules of the Oireachtas were first drawn up, it was laid down that no Member could wear any emblem except the Pioneer pin. That was a message that even then we recognised the problem we have as a people.

The Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, gave a speech at a function in County Clare recently that received extensive publicity. Several of her colleagues, and this surprised me, took up the same theme — it even went as far as The Sunday Times. She was frank and open in saying that there is something wrong in Irish society and that it is time for us to tip-toe back to reality. She put it that we must tip-toe back to the church but she meant it in a broader way, namely, that we must go back to a reality that provided us with a base for the decency, quality of life and understanding of other people's rights and needs that have always been part of the Irish character. She could have developed that point in the context of alcohol abuse.

The first excuse we gave for alcohol abuse in Ireland over the decades was that because we came from a deprived situation, we had to have relief from it. Today we argue that we need it because we are affluent. This is an absolute contradiction that demonstrates that we are seeking excuses instead of answers and that is part of the problem.

As a people, we have been on the receiving end of the Punch cartoons, but we do not have to go back that far in journalism. Last week a journalist in Britain, writing about a particular situation referred to a room full of drunken Irishmen to explain it. I hope the Press Council takes him to task but the mere fact he did it shows the caricature of Irish people that still exists. Being fair, however, in many ways that caricature is deserved. When President McAleese spoke on this issue, she did not speak about it in Ireland, she did it in a speech abroad. I knew what she was trying to achieve. In the 12 hours following her speech there were people who tried to misrepresent her and said that she let down the home side. She was trying to give a message to the world that we are a race that does not deserve the general caricature presented of us, that in many ways things have changed. She was, however, admitting that there is a serious problem.

We went through a period when we regarded it as funny to tell jokes about alcoholics. Almost all stand-up comedians did it, stuttering their way through what alcoholics do. It was not at all funny and I often reacted by asking people to go to O'Connell Street and look at a wino and see if there is anything funny about that person in the gutter. I have often stopped to engage them in conversation, as they lie there with a bottle in one hand, unwashed, unwanted and unloved, with no place in this great affluent society. There is no comedy in that, no more than there was in the blasphemy on "The Late Late Show" from a comedian recently. Thanks be to God that the public reacted in that case and an apology had to be offered for that blasphemy. I see nothing funny in making jokes about the crucifixion of Christ. Have we gone so low as a people that we stay silent, that we will not respond and tell people who use vulgarity that we will not accept it?

It is the same with alcohol abuse. A survey was carried out three years ago in a particular part of Ireland. It showed that not alone had the vast majority of young people, aged 13, tasted alcohol, but they had virtually become victims of binge drinking. There is no hope for those young people unless something is done, because we know full well that alcohol and drugs are first cousins. Alcohol is a drug and is addictive. However, we will not take a stand and say, "No more advertising of alcohol". It should not be allowed, if it is an addictive drug and is ruining young lives. We have seen what has happened with cigarettes. There are court cases and litigation under way all over the world where people said that the manufacturers knew tobacco was addictive, but that the results were kept hidden. They have been held accountable, particularly in the courts of America, and retrospectively are now paying out millions. For ages we did not accept or believe that tobacco was addictive. It is addictive, in the same way that alcohol is. Would it not be in the interests of the brewers to become part of the partnership we are talking about here? I am an optimist by nature, but I do not care what legislation, rules, condemnation or exhortation are employed, I do not believe any of this will make much headway. The only way to change this is by taking two steps back from the society that we have today.

That is what Ms Emily O'Reilly was aiming at. It took great courage because she was stepping out of line with her colleagues. However, I am sure she was encouraged when she found that instead of being condemned, there were many among her colleagues in that silent situation who felt exactly the same way. We have had the same approach from Ms Mary Kenny. We all know Ms Kenny had exceptionally liberal views and favoured kicking over the traces and letting young people do what they want. Every single week Ms Kenny now bemoans that same philosophy. We have many good people, but there is one other area from where we should be getting help, namely, the icons of the entertainment world.

Most of us cannot hear the lyrics, but if one takes time to listen to the words in some of the pop songs, I guarantee one will not find any exhortation not to take drugs or alcohol but quite the opposite. These are the role models of today. Senator McHugh was gracious and generous in the context of his own particular age parameter, if I may put it that way. However, the people who have the influence — I will not mention names — are in the entertainment world. How come they will not become the leaders in this regard? We should appeal to them. If Ms Emily O'Reilly took a stand, let us see how many in the entertainment world will go on the Pat Kenny show or "The Late Late Show" and make exactly the same point. They have done great work for other causes such as the Third World, but there is a culture here in Ireland currently that is devastating young lives. Celebrities can help. Let them go in the positive direction. I welcome the report and praise the people who were involved. I have great regard for people who are persistent and consistent because there is a temptation to feel helpless as regards these issues, which require to be addressed by more than mere legislation.

Even in the political world more of us should be willing to take a stand, while accepting that we will be regarded as old-fashioned and coming from another era. So what? Have Members ever met a young family which has lost a child as a result of drug abuse or one whose children were up in court as a result of alcohol abuse? One soon realises the difficulties we have in our society in those circumstances. I would much prefer to be called old-fashioned, if I thought I was going to prevent in some way other families being exposed to that same trauma as those which are being paraded through the courts every day and take up column inches in the newspapers.

I do not know what message the Minister of State can take from here. I know there is much goodwill about this matter. I have no doubt the Government is determined to do something about it, but I genuinely believe that what is needed at the moment is a crusade. Into that crusade we must bring all the partners who have any influence in society. Senator Moylan touched on sports and other areas. We must all come together. There is no longer a problem, there is a crisis in society. The way we can emphasise that, I believe, is to admit what is causing it.