Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

We could go to Reynard's tonight or Rearden's in Cork next Saturday.

It does not make sense that at the close of business in Cork, Dublin or anywhere in the country, everybody piles out to a central point. I fail to see why we cannot have staggered closing times. I was in Barcelona recently and the establishments did not close until 5 a.m. There were no public order issues and nobody was falling around the place drunk. I cannot understand the problem.

I hope we will have education programmes in schools which are well-resourced and have meaning. We must tackle the problems associated with alcohol consumption and binge drinking, which we are not doing. It is important we take action with regard to off-licences and allowing supermarkets to sell below cost. Last weekend, in some of the big chains of supermarkets one could buy 20 bottles of Miller for €20.99. That is cheaper than bottles of Coca-Cola or 7Up. It does not make sense that we are allowing this happen. We should tackle cheap alcohol and promotional efforts in supermarkets and other places.

The use of alcohol can lead to deaths and ill-health. The issue of "pre-loading" has come into the public domain, and Senator Walsh referred to it. This is where more people are starting to drink at home before going out when they are tanked up. They arrive at pubs and nightclubs already drunk. This Bill will not stop the practice.

Will the Minister consider the staggering of closing times, which is important? Do the people who drafted this legislation go to nightclubs? I invite them to come to Cork next Saturday night——