David Norris (Independent)

I support Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on alcohol abuse. I welcome the introduction of legislation in this area but I agree with the leading article in The Irish Times today, which called it "a weak alcohol bill". It is not good enough. We know perfectly well that alcohol is responsive to two triggers. It is price sensitive and it is sensitive to pressure on advertising. Nothing is being done about this. Excise duty on spirits has not increased in the past six budgets while the tax on beer has not increased over the past ten or 11 budgets. This efficient instrument is being ignored and nothing is being done about advertising. Drinks advertising is all over television and drinks companies are using sports and sports personalities-based advertising. There is a little rebalancing in the direction of the pub because of worries about people drinking at home. However, this is a pathetically weak response.

A discussion in the House could urge the Minister to for the first time honestly address a situation that is a disaster for this country. This is an epidemic and I would welcome such a debate. It is suggested some of these issues should be referred to the District Court but this is a waste of time. I have reported to the House during similar debates previously that I have witnessed many times in the District Court a licence being granted in defiance of the expressed views of the local community, the Garda and the city authorities. What use is it doing that? I do not blame the judges because, we, as legislators are at fault.

I propose an amendment to the Order of the Business, "That No. 18, motion No. 3 be taken before No. 1". The motion is in the names of myself and Senators O'Toole and Bacik. I am sure others will agree with this but they have not signed the motion yet. I propose this in light of statements by UNRRA earlier. It will not be able to continue providing basic food requirements to almost 750,000 people in the Gaza Strip. This is a response to the rocket attacks on Israel, which I deplore, but it is completely wrong to affect the most basic issues of life such as sewerage, water, refuse collection and hospitals by cutting off fuel supplies. This is collective punishment, which is illegal under international law, and the Israelis are only getting away with it because the United States has used its veto at the United Nations.

A protocol on human rights is attached to the Lisbon treaty. If we believe in anything to do with human rights, we must do something about this. I do not even suggest a ban on Israeli goods or something similar but the least we can do, because this human rights protocol exists, is establish a monitoring body. Let us know how this legal instrument is being affected, otherwise let us forget the pretence that we have any interest in human rights or the welfare of 750,000 people who are illegally subjected to collective punishment by the Israeli Government under the patronage of the Bush Administration.