Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Sunday newspapers are practically exclusively carrying advertisements for Tesco, SuperValu, Dunnes Stores, Aldi and Lidl. Last Sunday, they were advertising 25% off three litres of alcohol - gin, vodka and whiskey. People were urged to buy it fast in the store or get it delivered. Supermarkets are selling alcohol at a lower cost than publicans can buy it from wholesalers.

That is a fact, which I can prove conclusively. Supermarkets are selling alcohol below cost to attract customers. More alcohol is being consumed but a larger percentage of young people are drinking at home, yet the publicans who run a good business and try to ensure their customers drink proportionately are being victimised in this regard. It has led to the closure of pubs throughout the country and this will continue next year unless the Government introduces a Bill to outlaw the below-cost selling of alcohol. All people are looking for is a level playing pitch. It is attracting the abuse that Senator White so eloquently outlined. The responsibility for this lies with the four people running the country - the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. They are the leaders of the country. There is no Cabinet responsibility anymore because it is not consulted. The remaining Ministers are cabbages. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Finance to come to the House to explain why he cannot bring in legislation to ban below cost selling of alcohol? I will leave all the other products out of the debate because there is a vast range but alcohol is a risky substance.

Action is not being taken on petrol stretching but large legitimate garages have put up signs saying truthful, honest quality petrol and diesel is sold on their premises, as I suggested. Where is the imagination in the Government regarding marked fuel? This is a sophisticated society in the context of tax rebates.