Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I join with other Members in welcoming the Minister to the House and in complimenting him on the comprehensive legislation he has introduced today. I wish to pick up on two points. First, I greatly welcome the proposed good samaritan provision and it is right and proper for it to be enshrined in legislation. Will GAA clubs and other sporting organisations be regarded as organisations covered under this Bill?

Second, I greatly welcome the section on intoxicating liquor. As previous speakers have observed, this pertains to one of the greatest crisis within our society, particularly within the rural area from which I come. While the drugs issue is a major problem in cities, as well as in rural Ireland, alcohol is the major addiction problem in the latter. I am greatly concerned by the increase in the number of outlets in recent years from which young people in particular can so easily access alcohol. It can be procured in petrol stations, supermarkets, off-licences and many other outlets to which people have access and which do not appear to be regulated or controlled as well as one might wish. Consequently, I support what the Minister is attempting to do.

I would welcome any measure whereby the numbers of outlets from which alcohol may be purchased could be reduced because of the human costs and the cost to the State of providing facilities for those who suffer addiction problems remarked on by previous speakers. I agree with Senator Ó Clochartaigh's point that the resources provided to facilities for people who are addicted to alcohol are inadequate. My home town of Ballinasloe had a fine facility that rescued many people from the depths of despair and who now are playing a major role in society. They were saved by that fine facility before the old Western Health Board in its wisdom decided to close it. It was never replaced and facilities were never provided to allow access for ordinary people who needed help with their addictions.

I compliment the Minister on the comprehensive nature of the Bill. Like other Senators, I am a little concerned that it is not possible to provide Bills in the Irish language on as timely a basis as Members of the House would like. This is a section to which the Minister should give further consideration to see whether progress can be made that would satisfy all Members of this House. We owe it to citizens to make legislation available in the first official language.

In general, I strongly support what the Minister is doing here and I commend this legislation to the House.