Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I do not want to get into a lengthy reply on the matter. I accept the principle behind Senator Quinn's suggestion. However, impact assessments of the kind he suggests should be done before legislation is introduced rather than, as he proposes, afterwards.

I put my hands in the air to a certain extent with regard to the rushed nature of the legislation. As a Minister of State in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I and the previous Minister, had discussions with the previous Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, as part of our outstanding bilateral discussions between Ministers in particular Departments. The overwhelming view resulting from that meeting was that matters of this kind need to be fast-forwarded for various reasons, such as public order, the long gestation of discussion on alcohol related issues and the difficulties associated with situations where vested interests throw up the spectre of an alleged nanny state placing restrictions on citizens. It was, therefore, thought best to move this through speedily. That was the motivation.

In that respect, the current Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, is not responsible for the rushed character of this legislation. The urgency had its origins in the meeting I attended with the former Taoiseach and the previous Minister. There was an overwhelming view at official and political level at that meeting that this should be pushed through quickly because of issues relating to public order and alcohol consumption. I say all this by way of explanation.

Impact assessment is important. The Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has engaged honestly with the industry and we can achieve the desired result without imposing the significant cost of €200 million on a small and fragile sector such as small retailers.

Another issue the State will have to consider, but which has not been addressed in the Bill, is the pricing of alcohol. From conversations with retailers in my constituency I am aware they are worried about vexatious regulation by way of separation of products, etc., within a store. The issue we must get to grips with, however, is pricing. I hope, now that the previous Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is Minister for Finance, that he will give serious consideration to the issue of the pricing of alcohol products, beers or otherwise, on a discount basis. In many cases the cost is cheaper than a cup of coffee, which creates a problem. It is an issue that people can go into a store and buy a can of beer for less than the cost of a cup of coffee. This is the elephant in the room and the issue must be addressed by the Government. It is not covered in the legislation.