Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is not only about such matters.

First, I wish to be associated with the brief tribute paid to the former Deputy Harry Blaney and I express my sympathy to his family and loved ones. I also extend my sympathy to the family and loved ones of the former Deputy and Parliamentary Secretary, Dick Barry. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the funeral of the former President, Mr. Patrick Hillery. I hope there will be an opportunity to pay tribute to him. He was certainly a gentleman. He told me some very interesting things about his early days in Leinster House.

I also wish to be associated with what my cousin, Senator Michael Mullins, said last week about the costs associated with the treatment of patients who have alcohol-related problems in Galway, with over €22 million having been spent in the past five years in Galway hospitals and 35,000 bed days having been occupied. Considering how much time we spend talking about saving money, can we not get smart for the future and tackle the problem of alcohol abuse in this country with more aggression? My parishioner Joseph Treacy of the Irish Psychiatric Nurses Association, or should I say my fellow parishioner-----