Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I listened to Dr. Geoffrey Shannon earlier talk about the findings in his report, which are devastating. The entire country is impacted by what we heard. While the report as a whole is harrowing, I was particularly struck by the clear focus on alcohol abuse in Ireland and how it impacts on child welfare. It is time that we started to talk about it.It states that in a significant number of the 90 cases reviewed as part of the audit, it was evident that drug and-or alcohol abuse by parents was compromising their ability to care for their child. In one instance a one-year old child was found wandering alone in a housing estate because its mother was under the influence of alcohol. Cases like this cannot continue to happen in our communities.

Dr. Shannon was clear on "Morning Ireland" in his pleas for us to wake up to the harm alcohol abuse is causing. He said that the biggest challenge facing society is the adverse consequences for the welfare of many children posed by alcohol. Drug and alcohol abuse are a key feature of the report and have a very damaging effect on children. Society's failure to address alcohol is a fundamental issue and places insurmountable problems on the child-protection system. It is not just about Tusla or the Garda; it is about society and our ambivalence to alcohol and substance misuse.

Sadly, this is no surprise to me as I have worked with people suffering from alcohol abuse and addiction for many years. I work with their families and deal with this on a daily basis. The onus is on the State to step up and take responsibility, and we, as legislators, must make that happen. However, since it was first introduced, the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill has languished in the Oireachtas for over 500 days. This is despite repeated Government commitments that it would take action on the issue. The Bill contains sensible, evidence-based, workable measures to reduce alcohol harm and the Government must proceed with it as a matter of urgency. Dr. Shannon's report only emphasises this further. When will the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill be reintroduced in this Chamber so that we can get on with our work tackling this serious issue? For every one day that we let this go, three people die and our organisation is dealing with the family members. Something has to be done and we need to do it quickly.