Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

On a more serious note, random breath testing is great and it is working. I hear people talking about it and they factor it into their behaviour. I believe it has led to a reduction in drink-driving and it is a positive tool in the fight against the misuse of alcohol.

The Government alcohol advisory group was set up in January 2008 to make recommendations to address the public order aspects of the licensing laws. The group's recommendations formed the basis of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008. In responding to the group's recommendations, the Government adopted a strategy to curtail alcohol consumption in public places, while also restricting the availability of alcohol. The introduction of the aforementioned Act was conceived and passed within six months, which demonstrates the Government's commitment to dealing with misuse from a public order perspective. The Act contains provisions for reduced hours for off-sales of alcohol and tougher public order provisions allowing the Garda to seize alcohol from minors. It also allows for the test purchasing of alcohol by persons under the age of 18. The Act requires applicants for a wine retailer's off-licence to obtain a District Court certificate to get a licence. In addition, it has attached stricter conditions to the granting of a special exemption order.

In March 2009, the Government agreed to include alcohol in a national substance misuse strategy that would be co-ordinated by the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. A steering group has been established to develop proposals on alcohol policy for an overall national substance misuse strategy. This will incorporate the already agreed drugs policy element. The steering group is being chaired jointly by the Department of Health and Children and the office of the Minister with responsibility for drugs. It will base its recommendations on effective evidence-based measures to deal with the significant public health issue of alcohol in areas such as supply, pricing, prevention, treatment, awareness and education. The steering group is working towards completing its report by the end of this year. Certainly, if I had my way, I would ban the advertisement of alcohol. The insidious links between alcohol and sport in particular act as a draw for young people and Members must consider both the primary means of regulation and the secondary effects of ways in which people are led to a message that links alcohol with enjoyment and other facilities.

I look forward to the publication of the report from the steering group, which will advise the Government on the necessary policies and actions to be taken to further reduce the harm caused by alcohol misuse in society. I thank the Senator for raising this issue. It is useful to have a reality check on what is happening and on what needs to be done to rethink how alcohol is perceived in society and to consider innovative ways of tackling misuse and abuse.