Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I also seek a debate on the Great Southern Hotels. Senator Cox mentioned that two of the group's hotels are located in Galway city. The Corrib Great Southern Hotel is well known for its conference business, with the teachers unions, in particular, holding their annual conferences there on occasion. I hope any debate on the issue would be open-ended.

I am concerned at the lack of public residential centres for those affected by excessive and binge drinking. One such centre attached to St. Brigid's Hospital in Ballinasloe has closed. Unfortunately, it appears all centres of this type are located in private hospitals which admit only those who have private insurance cover or can afford the expensive charges. I hope some public residential units will be restored in public hospitals, even if they provide accommodation for only one or two nights. I ask that this proposal be pursued and request that it be discussed as part of a health debate.