Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That accentuates the problem and makes it even larger than it seems. I will try to organise a debate on that level of consumption and the State's reaction to that growing issue.

Senator Horkan and others raised an issue. It is interesting to see that for every person who gives out about the fact that new restrictions may come in between now and Christmas, there is another who would very much welcome such restrictions. That is not only the case in here, but in society. Society is very divided at the moment. People need to have the opportunity to earn a livelihood. We have taken that away from too many people for too long. We should do absolutely everything possible to keep businesses, venues and entertainment, including swimming pools, sporting venues, GAA clubs, restaurants and bars, open. We need to keep society open.We must do everything we can to ensure we keep it open. The many people who are minded to be more cautious - last night the survey carried out by RTÉ showed that many people would welcome restrictions - can certainly take care, mind themselves and change their behaviours, but we have to try to keep society functioning as much as possible, not least the schools.