Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the presence of Mr. Padraic White and people from Alcohol Action, including Ms Suzanne Costello, who have been very strong on this issue. The retail sector has a duty of care and responsibility. It had a voluntary code and, to a limited degree, that worked or perhaps it did not work. I always found Mr. White accessible and amenable on any issues that I brought to his attention. He took this matter up with some of the people in question. However, there was an ambivalence on the part of some retail outlets regarding the way they advertised and displayed alcohol. I am referring to a particular chainstore, as Mr. White would be aware, but I must say in his defence that he acted in taking the matter up with that particular organisation.

We must balance the need to have health advocacy with bringing in minimum unit pricing. Representatives from the University of Sheffield showed that a skin prick test can be very positive in determining what age groups drank and how they rank. We need to bear in mind that minimum unit pricing is but one aspect of the Bill.

Another issue is media advertising and how radio and television advertising can be used. Senator Richmond spoke about sports and I am a member of an organisation and a club that has a bar, and striking a balance in that respect is important. As many of us involved in sport know, sponsorship of sports by alcohol companies and bars is much needed.