Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have had a positive debate. The Seanad should have its say when it comes to this legislation. As a new Senator, this is one of the cornerstone debates that we have had since we were elected. I will not say that I am enjoying this proactive debate but it is definitely good to see the Seanad tease out key issues. The Seanad is the right place and forum to debate these issues.

Earlier I mentioned the removal of sponsorship. There is direct sponsorship. I asked a question on indirect sponsorship and I will finalise my question. What has been done about pubs or nightclubs backing or supporting teams or events through awards? We have all seen awards promoted on publications and Facebook pages. These sporting clubs or organisations are promoting alcohol through the back door. Does this Bill tighten the noose around the necks of those sporting organisations? It is important that we debate the matter.

I live close to Tabor Lodge, which is a residential addiction treatment centre in the south. The centre does fantastic work and has received funding on numerous occasions. Today, I spoke to its director about how the centre progressed its services. It is a voluntary organisation that has become one of the key drivers in tackling alcoholism in communities in the south. When one listens to people from the organisation, one will discover that we must tackle the underlying issue of the culture of drinking. How can we change that culture and the fabric society? There are direct issues such as alcohol advertisements and promotions and indirect issues that we must tackle to change the culture.

Senator Paddy Burke made an interesting point about name recognition in certain clothes outlets. Some brands of alcohol are nearly considered Irish brands. When tourists go into pubs, some of them order a certain brand of stout thinking it is the only stout in town because the brand is associated with this country. Brand recognition is an issue that we must tease out sensitively in terms of how we sell Ireland to tourists. Irish people have the image of being great craic but that is not a view we should sell. We need to look at the underlying causes of alcohol abuse and promote Ireland as having a responsible attitude to alcohol.