Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I concur very much with the points made by Senator Catherine Noone and I am intrigued by the Gresham Hotel's plans for ceoil but no ól on St. Patrick's Day. Senator Catherine Noone's observation is valid and ties in with what Senator Jillian van Turnhout said. There have been attempts to have a proper national debate on alcohol consumption and abuse in this country, but it has not been treated with sufficient seriousness. It is a discussion that must be put firmly back on the agenda and driven by the Government and health promotion agencies rather than, directly or indirectly, by the drinks companies. I congratulate Senator Jillian van Turnhout on her television appearance last week in which she clearly demonstrated how unfortunate it was that public figures who were and, to some degree still are, held in high esteem had bought into the concept of supporting campaigns by the drinks industry.

I will move to a less serious but not insubstantial issue.The Leader obviously is as au faitwith, and interested in, this as am I and Members must congratulate all those associated with what has been a tremendous first day for Irish sport at Cheltenham. It is not just a sport Members are congratulating but an industry that employs tens of thousands of people across towns, townlands and small parishes nationwide. As of now, the Irish team, as I will describe it, has won four races at Cheltenham. Willie Mullins has won four races in an unprecedented achievement. Ireland has outstanding trainers, owners and jockeys and the industry's success shows that the fair support and assistance given by every Government over the past 20 or 30 years to the Irish racing industry has worked, has produced the jobs and has beefed up the industry. It has given Ireland a world-leading reputation in horse racing and long may that continue. In general, there is cross-party support for the modest financial incentives the racing industry gets. Were every industry, of the many that receive financial support, to plough back the same level of jobs and results as does the racing industry, everyone would be proud. However, I simply wish to congratulate all those involved in what has been a tremendous showcase day for Ireland at Cheltenham. There are three more days to go and hopefully there will be more success because it is not just about the glory of Cheltenham but is about the jobs in rural Ireland in the training yards, on the stud farms and among the small breeders. It is phenomenally successful and has arisen not by accident but through proper planning and support. Long may it continue.