Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the issue raised by Senator Martin Conway, the less said about the comments made in that particular German newspaper the better. References to violence, even in jest, are unhelpful. People say certain things will never happen, but then they do.

I support the comments made by my colleague, Senator David Norris, on the decision of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications on alcohol sponsorship. As a person who is very concerned about the so-called Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, I wish advocates for the unborn had the same clout with the Government as the drinks industry seems to have. The transport committee is, apparently, being used to push back against the Government's stated commitment in regard to alcohol advertising and sponsorship. It is chilling to read about the way in which the drinks industry hints at withdrawing business if Ireland is seen to be anti-alcohol. That type of language beggars belief when one considers the problem we as a nation have with alcohol. It is also disturbing to see the Government piggy-backing on this image, tweeting images to the world of the Canadian Prime Minister holding a pint of Guinness. As Brian O'Connell puts it in The Irish Times today: "The interesting question though is how did we get to the point where it was OK for the Government to support the stereotypical boozy image of Ireland through such blatant product promotion". It is a question that is well asked and to which we must have an answer.

Will the Leader allow the same ample time for Second Stage of the so-called Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill as he has promised for the debate on the legislation to hold a referendum to abolish the Seanad? It is very important that we have an open-ended Second Stage debate. I understand Members in the Dáil were allowed 20 minutes each and I hope Senators will be given the same scope. I congratulate the 24 Deputies who followed their conscience in voting yesterday for the protection of unborn children.