Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister to the House and the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. The Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, stated this morning that there is a broad acceptance that legislative reforms are needed to tackle public disorder and alcohol-related harm resulting from excessive alcohol consumption. The Minister of State is correct in that there is a need to debate it and it is important we take urgent action.

Increased visibility and availability of alcohol in retail outlets referred to by Senator Walsh, such as garages and off-licences, has become noticeable in the past ten years. It is a sad indictment of policy that we have allowed alcohol to be sold freely in many corner shops, and it is much more available than it was before. We should not confuse nightclubs and pubs with the corner shop, bars in clubhouses or sporting facilities or the local bar.

I welcome the fact gardaí can seize alcohol. We have by-laws in my city of Cork preventing people from drinking in public places. I wonder about the success of such a by-law as I am unsure we have the necessary resources to help gardaí. Action must be taken.

It is disturbing that we have a high rate of alcohol consumption in this country. Senator Boyle referred to our Irish culture but such drinking should not form part of it. We should move away from the old Irish tradition of drinking pints of Guinness and where we are seen as the land of alcohol. Shame on us. St. Patrick's Day should not be a day for alcohol consumption but a day of celebration. Two years ago President McAleese indicated a need for a national debate on alcohol consumption and she is right. We need a debate on the issues surrounding alcohol consumption.

The Minister has missed an opportunity with regard to the sequential closing of nightclubs. I do not understand why we cannot have the staggered closing of nightclubs. Those of us, including the Acting Chairman, Senator Keaveney and myself, who go out on a Friday or Saturday night to nightclubs——