Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will take them now.

I congratulate the Minister of State, welcome him to the Chamber and wish him well, as he has a major challenge on his hands. I am very pleased to hear he is to bring a set of proposals to the Government in the near future.

Many issues have been covered, notably the devastation caused by alcohol to health and in families through domestic violence and child abuse. There are a number of points the Minister of State may need to keep in mind when he submits the report. We must start to educate young people at a much earlier age, perhaps in primary school, on the harm caused by alcohol. I am old enough to remember the time when the primary schoolteacher really hammered into us the dangers of abusing alcohol.

There is the issue of the availability of cheap drink. The Minister of State should be brave and tax alcohol heavily. There is an opportunity for the Government to raise revenue and help in reducing consumption. The easy availability of alcohol was mentioned by many speakers. It should be difficult to purchase it in every large supermarket and off-licence premises. It should be sold in a segregate area within stores.

I have a major concern that was raised with me by a number of people. The large multiples are manipulating the VAT system in a way that leaves them in a position to sell alcohol cheaply. The Minister of State and the Department of Finance should look at the VAT returns of the large multiples. There is a major issue in this regard, about which many are concerned.

The advertising and marketing of alcohol-----