Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the perennial issue of alcohol abuse in Ireland in the context of the publication yesterday of a report by the Health Research Board. Following the multiplicity of reports and findings on this issue, one might have assumed we were beyond being shocked by new findings. However, the numbers in this report are astounding. It shows, for example, that 75% of all alcohol consumption occurs in the context of binge drinking sessions, with one fifth of us engaging in binge drinking at least once a week. I have no doubt that many people would not consider three drinks to be a binge drinking session, but that threshold has been scientifically proven by the European Commission. Whether we like it or not, as a general populace we have a particular mindset in regard to alcohol consumption and it is a problem that needs to be addressed. A figure that is perhaps under-reported in regard to alcohol consumption is the number of people who regularly drink at home as opposed to in pubs. It is a case of out of sight, out of mind. We spend in excess of €50 million per week on alcohol and more than 175,000 people are dependent drinkers.

Some of us were fortunate last week to attend a presentation on alcohol abuse by, among others, the former Leinster and Ireland rugby winger, Denis Hickie, who gave a very strong speech on the link between sport and alcohol, with particular reference to drinks industry sponsorship. It is far beyond time that we came to grips with the industry propaganda in regard to alcohol sponsorship. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Health to the House to update us on plans for regulating the drinks industry and the various schemes to prevent alcohol abuse generally?