Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Minister of State luck in his responsibility for primary care services. It was interesting to hear about Senator Imelda Henry's personal experience of operating a licensed premises. Senator Sean D. Barrett's views were also interesting. Alcohol consumption is decreasing in Ireland according to CSO figures, but people must be responsible for themselves. I like a glass of wine, but I take personal responsibility for my behaviour because otherwise I would not be able to come into work or could feel depressed. There is something radically wrong in the Irish character if people let themselves go to hell by overindulging.

In 2008 I wrote a policy paper on what we could do in dealing with the issue of suicide. I identified three ways by which it was possible to reduce the suicide rate. One suggestion was cutting alcohol consumption, which had been internationally proved to be a factor in reducing suicide rates. The Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 was debated in this House while the Minister of State was still a Senator. Has that Act been implemented? We fail to implement many of the laws we introduce. My policy paper recommended that the Garda vigorously use the powers granted under the 2008 Act to carry out test purchases of alcohol by under-age youths in off-licence premises. We need a national conversation on why Irish people overindulge.

Fianna Fáil is constantly criticised in this Chamber for everything that went wrong.