Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to name it again. In fairness, the Fianna Fáil Party is in favour of the principle of this Bill from a health point of view. We have certain reservations about the technical side of it. I am expressing my personal view on this whole area. Members of this House should express their personal opinions on the whole industry. In summary, has the Minister of State considered the possibility of imposing restrictions on the advertising of alcoholic products that are being sold below cost? I welcome very much the proposal for a minimum unit cost. I hope it will be implemented. The question of the separation of alcohol from groceries is an important one.Alcohol is not a grocery item. It is a substance. It can be used for pleasure. I do not condemn anybody who takes a drink. It is quite in order to do so, within reason. We are all about responsible drinking. Responsible drinking is what will happen in the local pub, where there is supervision of the distribution of alcohol. Those are my views and I would like to hear those of the Minister of State.