John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I second the amendment.

I agree wholeheartedly with Senator O'Toole. There have been several discussions in the House on alcohol-related issues. As a nation, we have an issue with alcohol and cannot afford to ignore it in any relevant legislation that passes through the House. I am involved with sports organisations, particularly the GAA, and know valuable revenue is collected through the advertising of alcohol. It is ironic that a child cannot be in a public house after 9 p.m. but can watch advertisements showing people enjoying alcohol on television before that time. Amendment No. 33 is therefore a reasonable suggestion.

I concur with the sentiments of amendment No. 35. We need to set a standard and did so by banning tobacco advertising in Ireland some years ago. Tobacco advertising is not permitted in most countries, certainly in the European Union and even further afield. We need to take the bull by the horns regarding alcohol advertising. As a nation with issues regarding alcohol, we could take a step in the right direction by adopting much tougher guidelines and legislation on alcohol advertising.