Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Alcohol abuse and its normalisation by young people appears to be out of hand. The former Minister of State, Deputy Róisín Shortall, was making great progress in dealing with this issue. I do not believe that the same progress is being made under the current Minister but it needs to be. Like other speakers I am particularly concerned about the craze around Necknominations. It has always been known that the combination of alcohol and peer pressure is a problem but this has been exacerbated by the effects and visual impact of social media and it has become a lethal combination. It has been blamed for some deaths.

I ask the Leader for a debate on the impact of social media on young people's behaviour, and to include alcohol abuse in that debate. I refer in particular to the impact on children and teenagers. When the words, "social media" are mentioned, there can be quite a barrage of abuse from people who use it but the concern must be for those who are vulnerable to peer pressure.

I welcome the move by AIB yesterday to provide structured write-downs for co-operating home owners. I call on other banks to follow suit. It is good news at last. I asked for a Minister to come to the House to discuss mortgage solutions and this issue should remain a priority on our agenda. One in every five persons with a mortgage is in arrears. There is no business scheduled for Thursday and this is the type of debate that should be included in the schedule.