Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

A campaign being launched nearby this morning is called Stop Out of Control Drinking. I am alarmed by this campaign because it is funded by Diageo, a drinks company. It has many good people associated with it but I did two reports for the European Economic and Social Committee on alcohol-related harm and I saw at first hand how the industry will try to influence, orchestrate and campaign to ensure that any effective reports one is trying to do are diluted. The industry did not win in that case, but when I saw the campaign title, Stop Out of Control Drinking, it made me think that most people in Ireland would think the campaign was not directed at them.

What we should be talking about is alcohol-related harm. Allowing a drinks company to frame a debate and put major money behind a public health campaign is wrong. I would point those involved to the World Health Organisation which indicated that it would be inappropriate for the industry to have a role in the formulation of alcohol policies either nationally or locally. The industry's involvement in this campaign is wrong. Those involved with the campaign would say it is independent but let us remember that Diageo, the drinks company involved with this, exists to sell alcohol and to make profits for its shareholders. That is the reason for the business. I do not argue with that but it is not a public health company.

Let the people frame this debate, not a drinks company. It is unacceptable that any of us would support a campaign that is so clearly the narrative of the drinks company. That is what it wants us to talk about, the out of control drinking, not the effect drink has on family households and the triggers the special rapporteur on child protection mentioned to us at the health and children committee. We cannot have an ambivalent response to alcohol, we need to look at it seriously. It is having a destructive effect in many households. That is the area I deal with. I ask that we have a debate in this House on alcohol-related harm. Let us take the lead on the issue and not put it in the hands of any drinks company.