Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Taoiseach's comments on the western rail corridor, especially given the many flawed reports which overestimated the amount of funding needed for that corridor. I welcome his commitment to the western rail corridor and look forward to funding being advanced as soon as possible.

Senator Mooney raised the issue of teenage drinking. Maybe we should debate this again. The problem has been debated many times and much has been done, for example, legislation has been introduced that results in the closure of many pubs and off-licence, sometimes for weeks, for serving drink to teenagers. No Name clubs have been reintroduced. Groups such as Barnardos asked politicians such as myself to sign a pledge not to be seen in public with an alcoholic drink, and I was proud and happy to oblige them. This has been a good stance. Perhaps there should be a debate in this House to try to ensure that under-age drinking is curbed.