Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----the potential damage to their health and to other citizens of Galway city and the potential disruption and anti-social behaviour that may arise. Much has been written recently, and there has been much debate in all media, on the impact of alcohol abuse in our society, including the impact on health and the cost to the health service. A Senator on the other side of the House referred to problems in accident and emergency departments, but 25% of the people who present at accident and emergency departments every weekend do so as a result of excessive use of alcohol.

We must keep this issue at the top of the agenda and have plenty of discussion about it. This House has a crucial role to play in trying to get the message across that drinking in this country is out of control. Even Diageo, which has a vested interest, is prepared to spend €1 million to highlight the fact that drinking is out of control in this country. We must utilise this House to get the message across to people that we have a problem and it must be addressed.