Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I have just received a copy of the latest bulletin of the National Suicide Research Foundation which informs us that from 2003 to 2008 some 63,000 people presented themselves at accident and emergency units having deliberately harmed themselves. Most of the self-harming incidents occurred on Sundays and Mondays. The bulletin suggests this is due to binge drinking, which affects cognitive behaviour and prevents people from thinking through their problems. My 2008 document entitled What we can do about suicide in the new Ireland, outlined three key areas for reducing self-harm and suicide. The one element that jumped out from all the international research was controlling alcohol consumption. Last week the World Health Organization produced its 2010 world strategy for alcohol consumption. The strategy included suggestions as to what countries and governments should do to reduce consumption and counter the detrimental effects of excessive indulgence in alcohol. I seek an immediate debate on the World Health Organization's report on alcohol consumption, as well as what Ireland will do about it.

Sports events and music festivals should not be associated with alcohol promotion. I have raised this matter in the House on previous occasions. Last weekend I heard a spokeswoman for the drinks industry defending sports sponsorship by that sector. She had a rational argument, but she is not allowing for the fact that some people are not able to control the amount of alcohol they drink. The grape is a gift from God and I am not opposed to people taking a little alcohol, but it can become an addiction with serious consequences. I would like the Leader to arrange for such a debate in the House.