Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I welcome this debate as it is pertinent to this country. It is a sign of the times. We are a more affluent society and are at liberty to make lifestyle choices. Unfortunately, many of the lifestyle choices we make when affluent lead to many of us drinking too much. Irish people must have a sober conversation, pardon the pun, about their relationship with alcohol. We can deal with it through informed decision-making and taking personal responsibility. The State plays a role in guiding us, informing us and protecting children to ensure we have a more responsible relationship with alcohol.

During the debate, comparisons were made between alcohol and tobacco. The end game is not ensuring everyone does not drink. Ireland has been compared with France and Spain. They are two countries that seem to have a more reasonable relationship with drink but those comparisons do not apply. We are debating a public health Bill. This is a more affluent time but we must encourage people to make the best choices for the benefit of their health and quality of life. We have heard from experts so we all know that alcohol abuse impacts on one's health and quality of life.

Later we will debate sections that are up for amendment but I wish to flag the following issue. Let us consider the advent of the change in how we relate to alcohol. One thing that strikes many people is the price. One can easily and cheaply buy a slab of beer. Below cost selling is connected to the abolition of the Groceries Order. This practice is particularly visible in the supermarket multiples where people can buy copious amounts of alcohol. In fact, it costs more to buy a bottle of water than a can of beer. The current situation makes alcohol freely available.

I welcome minimum unit pricing. I am concerned that we are required to have an agreement with the North of Ireland to adopt minimum unit pricing simultaneously in order to have the best effect. The situation is outside of our control and the initiative could take two years or more to complete. In the meantime, below cost selling will continue even though it is a contributing factor to the abundance of alcohol and binge drinking.I am concerned that the Government is not acting immediately to stop below-cost selling, although such a move is within the gift of Government. This may not be the end point, that is to say, minimum unit pricing. It appears that, from the information the Department of Health has given us, that would be more effective.

Clearly, this below-cost selling is working for the supermarkets. It is drawing people in and they buy drink. We can act now. I am at a loss to know why we are not doing something. Numerous pointed comments have been made to the effect that we are being excessively lobbied. In the case of every Bill or proposed legislation that comes through we are subject to lobbying. However, it only seems to suit some people. It does not suit public health aims. It only seems to suit the big supermarkets. Why is that? We could do it right now instead of waiting. Everyone welcomes minimum unit pricing, but when is it going to materialise? In the meantime, there are options involving other measures. I welcome the measures-----