Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, congratulate the Irish team.

Like previous speakers, I was taken aback by a report in this morning's edition of the Irish Examinerunder the headline "Harmful drinking is the 'norm' in this country and causes three deaths every day". The report notes that new data released by the Health Research Board shows that young drinkers aged from 18 to 24 years have the most harmful drinking habits in the country. It continues:

The quantity they drink and the pattern of their drinking is putting them at increased health risk at a young age, and later in life, according to the study.

The research found alcohol is responsible for up to three deaths every day and that 50% of Irish drinking can be described as binge-drinking...

Alcohol Action Ireland said the latest research shows that the nation’s attitude to alcohol is placing an unsustainable burden on the health service and taxpayer.

The reason I raise the issue is the statement by Alcohol Action Ireland that the "Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is the first legislation of its kind in Ireland, as it treats alcohol as the serious public health problem". We need more information on this legislation. In 2014, Irish drinkers consumed on average 11 litres of pure alcohol each, which is equal to 29 litres of vodka, 116 bottles of wine or 445 pints of beer. It is not only how much Irish people drink that causes harm but the way they drink. In 2013, the HRB alcohol diary survey showed that more than 50% of Irish drinkers consumed alcohol in a harmful manner, too much alcohol in one sitting and more than the recommended number of standard drinks in one week. We must find out more about the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill from the Minister because society must address these harms. An evidence based public health response is needed, of which the measures proposed in the Bill are an example. I ask the Leader to seek answers from the Minister on this issue and invite him to come to the House to address this serious problem. The drinking behaviour of young people aged from 18 to 24 years has serious consequences for their health and their families. For this reason, we must address the long-term implications of this behaviour.