Seanad debates

Wednesday, 5 December 2012

11:10 am

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the context of the remarks on alcohol pricing, a report appeared in the media in the past few days that seems to have slipped under the radar. Gabriel Byrne, the actor and former cultural ambassador, experienced some difficulties due to his comments on The Gathering. He also made some comments to students in DĂșn Laoghaire a few days ago which are worthy of being repeated and are pertinent for a debate that I hope will take place. He described "Arthur's Day" as a marketing tool dreamed up by a marketing company. We raised the issue at a meeting of the British-Irish interparliamentary body with Guinness representatives in Glasgow some months back who, of course, justified it. Perhaps the Senators would unite in condemning the company now and well in advance of next year's so-called "Arthur's Day". Without putting a tooth in it, and I am putting the matter on the record because it was reported in the newspapers, the actor, Mr. Byrne, said that "Arthur's Day" was nothing more than an excuse for a "p... up" and he is right. His comments come at a time when we must deal with the most outrageous abuse of alcohol, particularly among the young.

I have just returned from a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange, some time in the New Year, for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, to come here to outline his strategic plan for the airports in the west of Ireland.

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