Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

We have discussed youth drinking in this House many times but I ask the Leader for another debate on the issue in light of research carried out by Trinity College, Dublin. This research shows that heavy and reckless drinking by young women, particularly when they are pregnant, is leading to a considerable amount of very severe abnormalities, particularly intellectual disabilities, among newborn babies. A debate on this issue would be timely, particularly one that focused on early education to combat binge drinking. This kind of preventive education should be introduced in primary schools. I am aware that some people consider this kind of education too shocking to be introduced in primary schools but I believe it is necessary because binge drinking will affect society today and in the future. It will have a long-term effect on the Exchequer with regard to health and education spending.