John Gilroy (Labour)

Yesterday, the time allocated for the Order of Business expired before I had an opportunity to contribute. With your permission, a Chathaoirligh, I will return to a topic that Senator Whelan and others have raised, which is this country's policy on alcohol. I support the proposals by the Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, to address the unhealthy relationship we have with alcohol.

Senator Barrett raised an interesting point yesterday in stating that in recent years, sales of alcohol have decreased and presumably alcohol consumption along with that. Yet alcohol remains associated with a range of social ills, including suicide, according to the report that was published earlier this week. We have also seen alcohol linked to street violence, public disorder, anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and a range of other issues. The element of the debate that Senator Barrett raised points to the complexities and nuances which a debate on alcohol misuse presents to us as a society. I therefore call on the Leader to consider arranging an urgent debate when we come back in September to discuss this matter in all its complexity.