John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy John Moloney, and his officials to the House. I concur with many of the previous speakers. Although I missed much of the debate, I listened to the last few minutes in which a great deal of sense was spoken. One of Senator Coffey's concluding remarks made mention of advertising and alcopops. I understand proposals are in gestation at present to review the entire subject of alcohol advertising. I have discussed this matter previously and it should be reviewed. Similarly, alcohol sponsorship at sporting events should be reviewed. While I used to believe that such sponsorship should continue, I now consider a different stance should be taken.

Ireland has a problem in respect of the abuse of alcohol. I do not suggest everyone has such a problem as the majority of people do not. Some people, however, have a significant problem and this must be addressed. The Minister of State is familiar with this issue, given his family involvement in the pub business and he is familiar with the difficulties that arise from the abuse of alcohol. I will preface my remarks by stating I am not a killjoy. However, I concur with Senator Coffey's remarks regarding alcopops and have come to believe they should be banned outright because it is just like drinking lemonade. When I was younger, I was put off alcohol because I did not believe it tasted nice at the time. I may have moderated my view in this regard subsequently. However, alcopops are easily consumed and in some cases are targeted at extremely young people, including, I believe, under age drinkers. Recently, a former Member of this House, my colleague, Deputy Ulick Burke, presented me with a promotional pack from a UK-based company that sold alcohol in small sachets as a direct marketing product. It was directed at young people and it did not matter whether they were under or over the age at which one is allowed to consume alcohol. Serious work must be done in this regard.

I join with Members who have expressed concern regarding the rushed nature of this legislation. While the summer recess is approaching, it could have been staggered better, for want of a better term, in respect of Members' proposed amendments to the Bill. I also intend to touch on a number of issues. I have rarely, if ever, received a greater number of representations on any Bill during my time in the Oireachtas than was the case for this Bill. I am sure other Members are in the same boat. Senator Bacik is correct to note there is a danger, in the midst of this discussion regarding licensing laws, of bashing young people and Members should try to avoid this. However, I join my colleagues who expressed concern and regret that the legislation will change the opening hours for midweek and weekend nights, apart from Sundays. Moreover, it will limit opening hours on Sunday and on Saturday and Friday to 1 a.m. and 2.30 a.m., respectively. This constitutes a step backwards. From a public order perspective it is obvious that in any given town nationwide, the time at which nightclubs close and people disperse onto the streets is most dangerous and is the time at which one is most likely to see trouble on the streets. The proposal to oblige all nightclubs to close their doors on a Saturday night at 2.30 a.m. will worsen that problem. I urge the Minister of State to revisit the opening hours issue.

I also fail to understand the distinction that has been made between Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday nights. I have been contacted by a number of people who are involved in the business and a number of nightclubs, particularly in this city, cater on a Sunday night to people who work hours that do not allow them to have a drink on a Friday or Saturday night because they work on Saturdays or Sundays but who are in a position to go out on a Sunday evening. I do not see the point in that change either and urge the Minister of State to consider that aspect of the legislation as well.

Another matter that was brought to my attention in a number of e-mails I received concerns the licensing laws pertaining to nightclubs. There is a loophole regarding theatre licences at present. While I am open to correction by the Minister of State, I am led to believe that the licensing laws pertaining to nightclubs date from the Public Dance Halls Act 1935. Although I do not have an intimate knowledge of its contents, I imagine it now is a seriously outdated item of legislation, as drinking practices and the format of society has changed greatly since 1935. Serious measures must be taken in respect of nightclub licensing, rather than depending, as is the case at present, on an Act from 1935.

Much of this Bill is to be welcomed and I have no problem with most of it. While I do not wish to profess any massive knowledge of the industry, I have attended a good number of nightclubs in my time and the problem I have seen building up is what Senator Coffey referred to as the pressure cooker effect. Everyone will be aware that closing time is due to take place in half an hour's time, which results in bulk-buying of alcohol. I fail to perceive how a closing time of 2.30 a.m. will reduce under age or binge drinking because a huge proliferation of outlets sell alcohol. I refer in particular to off-licences, garages and a number of facilities that sell alcohol across the board. Changes are in gestation in respect of those outlets. In a nightclub or pub, a person is at least under supervision in his or her consumption of alcohol. This is a more positive position to be in than to be drinking excessively at home or in a ditch in a field on the outskirts of a town. I urge the Minister of State to consider some of the points made before Committee Stage.