Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I welcome this Bill and many of its provisions. There has been debate surrounding the length of time provided to discuss the aspects of the Bill, which I understand. The provision of sufficient time to deal with Bills is a very important part of the process in the Houses. This Bill is focused on some very specific areas and serves as a prelude to more comprehensive legislation which will come before the Houses in the coming year. Consequently, I fully support the provisions and the intent of the Bill.

Various surveys have identified alcohol as a problem for society in the west generally. However, the problem is probably more acute in Ireland. This is borne by some of the surveys and statistics which have emerged. I note the EU wide study showing an average alcohol consumption of 21 units per person per week. This is high taking into account that some 20% of the population do not drink at all, and many others are moderate drinkers. In addition, from a health perspective the maximum recommended consumption in one week is 21 units for men and 14 units for women. This shows a significant proportion of the population is in excess of the recommended weekly amount of alcohol consumption. This brings many other problems and difficulties for individuals and society, especially in the area of public health.

There have been various debates about expenditure on health services, value for money and such issues. There has been a significant increase in investment in the past decade; it has quadrupled in this area. It is significant that some of this expenditure has been targeted at facilities in accident and emergency departments of hospitals. Some 28% of adults reporting to accident and emergency departments are apparently presenting with drink-related problems, which is an exceptionally high proportion.

Senator Mary M. White yesterday spoke of matters related to suicide in society. It is recognised that in many cases alcohol is a factor. This is a serious mental health issue and over-consumption of alcohol for a period of time can lead to severe physical aliments too. I was involved in a study some years ago which showed that the fourth largest reason for death after cancer and heart ailments was alcohol. That was a significant and, pardon the pun, sobering statistic.

Alcoholism is a disease and must be recognised and treated as such. However, there is a new phenomenon in society of binge drinking, to which several speakers have referred. I have a friend of the same age group, Mr. Paddy Quinn, who has a hotel in my local area. I recall speaking with him some time back. He said that when we were at that stage, if one had sufficient money one might occasionally get drunk, although people did not go out with that intention. He told me he now sees young people coming in groups with the sole intent of getting drunk on a night. They drink Bacardi Breezers and various other alcopops, which lead to drunkenness, and this has significant effects for those people. It also shows a change in mindset which we probably need to tackle.

It is interesting that the EU report found that in any one sitting, 34% of people out drinking in this country consumed five or more units. In Europe, the proportion of people consuming that level of drink is down at 10%. This Bill is definitely a step in the right direction and I support the Minister in restricting the availability of drink, particularly through off-licences, petrol stations and supermarkets, where it is often used as a loss leader to get people in.

Interestingly, we had a meeting not long ago of the joint policing committee in New Ross. The superintendent indicated that the trend away from drinking in pubs to drinking at home has led to one particular increased crime statistic over a 12-month period, that of domestic violence. He attributed this rise to the phenomenon of people drinking more at home than would have been the case previously.

I agree with the Minister in his attempts to bring about the structural separation of alcohol products and the making of regulations regarding advertising. We must ensure that the drinking culture is changed. As with others here, I enjoy a drink. Like everything, a drink in moderation — if it can be kept so — is an enjoyable and good social experience. They say everything should be in moderation, including moderation itself. This Bill makes an effort to inculcate this into society and particularly into our young people.

I welcome the Bill and encourage the Minister to continue down that route.