Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the uachtarán of the GAA and I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for inviting him to the House. I happened to be in Croke Park this morning at an addiction conference. I must say, and I agree with the Cathaoirleach, that just looking across Croke Park fulfils my heart. It is a beautiful place to visit. I have always felt happy at any GAA game I have attended. I probably feel happiest when I am at a match, be it football or hurling, although hurling is my first passion. I would love to see the Dubs win the hurling final at some point. It is also great to see a fellow Dub in the role of uachtarán.

I am aware of the alcohol and substance abuse programme run by the GAA. It is wonderful. My colleague, Senator Lawlor, spoke about the drop-off in the number of young people. I work in the specific area of addiction and mental health so I am very familiar with that among young people. I have given many talks in GAA clubs around the country on this issue. Today, I wish to highlight the mental health aspect. In excess of 1.4 million people in this country have alcohol harm issues. That is huge. There is an impact from that on young people, whether it is a parent or a brother or sister. I spoke in a GAA hall last year where a young lad said he had to give up his football because his mother had an alcohol problem. He was worried and could not attend the GAA training sessions because he had to stay at home and mind her. The impact of that on his mental health was that he had to walk away from his passion.

There is an increasing incidence of that at present. I hope the uachtarán will examine it as a priority for the future. There is no doubt that alcohol is a depressant. There is a huge binge drinking culture among young people. They talk about drinking to the black. Alcohol is a depressant and causes depression so we must highlight the impact it has on young people, particularly on their mental health. Addiction is increasing, whether it is drugs, substance abuse or gambling, and I spoke to Oisín McConville this morning who speaks openly about his addiction to gambling. If the uachtarán wishes to have a chat about it at some time, I would love to have a cup of coffee with him.

I thank Mr. Horan for coming to the House today and I congratulate him again.