Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

I support the motion and I support the Minister of State in her efforts. The alcohol industry is particularly influential. I would not state that it is particularly influential with Government but it certainly had an indirect influence on many of my colleagues in the context of various debates on drink driving laws and other issues relating to alcohol. That was not healthy for the body politic. I am disappointed that the alcohol industry is represented on the national steering group charged with producing policy. I urge the Minister of State to be as strong as possible - I know this will be the case - in the context of playing her part in framing that policy. The Minister of State referred to the steering group finalising a policy framework but she and the Government will finalise that framework in actuality. I hope that will be done in the absence of influence from the industry. I accept that the industry is good in many ways, that it provides employment for many people and that it provides a service that people require. However, it must also be noted that immeasurable harm is being done.

The Minister of State referred to a number of concerns she harbours. While we all welcome and support the motion, it is important to recognise the issues that have been raised and to listen to the voices of those who do not fully agree with us. It is crucial that the Minister of State should engage with the authorities in Northern Ireland in particular because any actions taken on this side of the Border will have a major impact on people's shopping patterns. Alcohol is a major attraction for people when they are shopping for groceries, and so on. It is essential that we liaise with our counterparts in the North because if we do not do so, any action we take will not work.

People will list every possible reason this cannot be done. They will refer to European Union internal market rules and competition law ad nauseam. We should keep the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation out of it and proceed on the basis that this is a health issue. If we do so, I do not believe there will be any objections from Europe. Lawyers may raise objections but regardless of whether they do so it is extremely important that we should take action.

I look forward to the legislation relating to the sale of alcohol which it is promised to introduce next year. One relatively known aspect with regard to the law on alcohol is that it is extremely complicated. A small number of lawyers are becoming extremely wealthy as a result of the complex nature of the alcohol and licensing laws. It is important, therefore, that the Government should do everything in its power to simplify the legislation in this area.

I support the notion of a minimum price. I wonder whether such a price could be imposed in conjunction with excise duty because it is important that the State should derive some benefit. We need to consider the position with regard to opening hours. The late Mr. Brian Lenihan, a former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, restricted off-licence opening hours to 10 p.m. Many Scandinavian countries with problems similar to those we experience have even more restrictive opening hours. This is a matter to which consideration must be given. If a person plans his or her night's drinking, he or she will be less likely to engage in binge drinking. However, I have noticed many people on their way to and from pubs at 9 p.m. going into off-licences to purchase alcohol. There is no reason off-licences should not close at 7 p.m., other than the fact that there would be major objections. If a 7 p.m. closing time were introduced, people who needed to purchase alcohol could do so before that time. There is no need for people to buy alcohol on a whim at 9 p.m.

The late Mr. Brian Lenihan also established a particular committee in 2008 with which I raised the issue of under-age drinking. The solution to under-age drinking is very simple but it was not taken up at the time. I suggest that we prevent all people in secondary school - regardless of whether they are 18 or 19 years of age - purchasing alcohol. If someone is in secondary school, he or she should not be allowed to drink. In addition, a person in college should be over 18 years of age before he or she is allowed to purchase alcohol. I did not start drinking until I was 19. I find it incredible, therefore, that sixth year students might go to the pub immediately after completing their leaving certificate or that they might be served alcohol at their graduation. I was not even 17 when I sat the leaving certificate. Alcohol has no place in the secondary school system. Pub owners should not allow those who are studying for or who have just completed the leaving certificate on to their premises without their parents. This would, in one fell swoop, undercut the peer pressure exerted in schools by those who are 18 and who can legitimately imbibe alcohol. Such peer pressure gives rise to a sort of race to the bottom in the context of encouraging young people to start drinking.

If we ban those who are still attending secondary school from purchasing alcohol, this would have a hugely positive effect in the context of undermining the under-age drinking culture. Not allowing young people to drink until they are in college and over 18 would create a level playing field. I would like my suggestion in this regard to be considered because there is a massive problem in the context of under-age drinking. I did not engage in under age drinking and I only drink from time to time now. I went to an off-licence two months ago and the 12 bottles of beer I bought are still in the fridge at home.

This debate has reminded me of it. I enjoy going to the pub from time to time, to be honest, and nobody should be ashamed of that. I enjoy a bit of craic. There is a significant societal cost arising from this issue and publicans and the drinks industry should be aware of it. There is a big problem in Letterkenny and local authorities have powers under legislation to introduce by-laws for certain areas. If there is a problem with low price alcohol or promotions in a local authority area, I would challenge local authorities to introduce by-laws to deal with the issue. It is within their power and they should not wait for the Government to act. As part of this strategy the Government could introduce guidance to local authorities if they have no experience.

We will support the measure but we should not dismiss people who raise concerns. I did not hear Senator Barrett's contribution but there are economic issues pertinent to below-cost selling of alcohol, and they should be noted.