Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If the Minister's diary allows it, I would welcome him here today. It might be unrealistic to expect that of the Minister for Finance, so perhaps it could happen next Tuesday.

I support Senator Clune's comments on the alcohol action strategy, and I have raised the matter ad nauseam at the risk of becoming a total kill-joy in the alcohol area. The sponsorship issue is holding up matters but we must see the matter in these Houses in the very near future. I commend Senator Power on raising an Adjournment matter relating to Arthur's day. Diageo will pick up most of the tab for the extra Garda presence but it will be interesting to see related statistics. The event is happening so we may as well embrace it and hope people drink responsibly. We hope to avoid serious injuries or issues arising from it. It may be the last year of Arthur's day, which I would welcome.