Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome very much the fact that the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, had discussions yesterday with the assistant Egyptian Foreign Minister on the ongoing detention of an Irish citizen, Ibrahim Halawa. This young man, as we know, was only 17 years of age when he was detained during a peaceful protest in Egypt and he has been detained for over a year. As we know from correspondence many of us have had from his family, he is obviously in great distress. His family are anxiously trying to get him home in order that he can continue his studies. I hope that this will be a first positive move in securing his immediate release.

I was present this morning for the launch of the Alcohol Health Alliance, which is a coming together of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and Alcohol Action Ireland to support the enactment of the public health (alcohol) Bill. This alliance is being chaired by Professor Frank Murray. As we all know, abuse of alcohol in this country is a national crisis with almost half of Irish drinkers engaging regularly in an episode of heavy drinking. The number of deaths due to liver disease has doubled in the past 20 years.Alcohol abuse is now associated with the occupation of approximately 1,500 beds each night in Irish hospitals, and 25% of all injuries presented to accident and emergencies in our acute hospitals are alcohol related. Significant legislation is due to come before this House shortly and I ask the Leader if we could get an indication as to when the Bill will come into the Oireachtas for discussion because it is critical that it be enacted during the lifetime of this Government.