Billy Lawless (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As a former publican and a former president of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, I compliment Senator Black on bringing this Bill through today. I am in total support of it. I was with a bunch of publicans last night in Galway, old friends from around the country, and all of them are 100% in support of the Bill the Senator has brought forward. There are many restrictions on pub owners as well. I thank the Minister for bringing the Bill forward.

I will speak very briefly on minimum unit pricing. One of my colleagues in Galway is a taxi driver and former mayor of Galway city, and he was a neighbour of mine. He told me that on Friday and Saturday nights, he brings young people into discos and pubs in Galway city and they are out of it from the time when they leave home. That is because of under-cost selling and cheap bottles of vodka. We must cut that out.