Imelda Henry (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the report of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, of which I am a member, on the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015. The committee received many submissions and heard evidence at many meetings. I am mainly concerned about the price and availability of alcohol. It is proposed to introduce minimum unit pricing in the legislation; however, the price has to be high enough for it to be effective and deal with our concerns about pricing. I have heard that it is proposed to bring the legislation before the House before Christmas. My party has been in government for four years and the introduction of such legislation has been discussed for many years. I want to ensure the Bill will be brought before this House before Christmas.