Ivana Bacik (Independent)

Like Senator Alex White, I will respond to the Minister of State's point that Senators on this side are seeking to delay the Bill and do not have concerns about the problems associated with alcohol abuse. As many of us stated during the Second Stage debate yesterday, while we are very concerned about these problems, we do not believe the Bill is an effective means of tackling them. On the contrary, it is counter-productive legislation and restricting the hours in which people are entitled to drink in pubs and clubs will not address the problem of binge drinking or the harm associated with alcohol abuse. Such restrictions will affect where and how alcohol is consumed, rather than how much of it is consumed or what damage it causes.

Opposition Senators do not wish to under estimate or trivialise the problems associated with alcohol abuse. The amendments I and other Senators have tabled propose alternative means of tackling the problem and more time is needed to debate them. It is unfortunate, as other speakers have noted, that Senators have been left in the farcical position of proposing good, worthwhile alternatives which the Minister of State appears to be unable to accept.