John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader inquire to the Department of Finance about the possibility of a minimum pricing order being introduced in connection with alcohol and petrol, particularly in light of the disparity between tax rates in the North and the Republic of Ireland? There could be very useful co-operation across the Border but the principal reason we cannot proceed with the necessary implementation is because of the divergence in taxation between the two areas.

I ask the Leader again to consider the minimum pricing order introduced in Scotland, which was very effective with alcohol in particular. There is something very wrong when one can get six cans of beer in an off-licence or supermarket cheaper than six cans of Coca-Cola. For health reasons as well as for the Exchequer, it is important this issue is rectified. It could be rectified.

In the ongoing debate, there has been a mistake in understanding what was clearly stated in the budget. The Government is not purchasing assets for €80 billion to €100 billion from the banks but rather purchasing the assets at the write-down value at today's date.