Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I support my colleagues who have a problem with the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008 being rushed through. However, there are many innovative changes in the legislation and it is an excellent Bill. In the document I launched yesterday on a new approach to suicide in Ireland, alcohol is mentioned as one of three proven factors that can lead people to suicide. Many of these people do not die due to alcohol consumption but alcohol is involved in half of the cases of people who die as a result of suicide and half of the cases of people who deliberately self-harm.

We must do something about the drink culture in Ireland and my document calls for extra measures to be taken. Alcohol should not be allowed in the sponsorship of sporting events or musical events for young people. It should be banned from such events over five years. We should try to emulate Mediterranean countries where people drink only a little tipple of alcohol, because there is nothing wrong with a little. We must not overdo it.