Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the report on the affect on the health services of the abuse of alcohol in society here; her further views on whether the proposals being brought forward by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform are sufficient response from the Government; her proposals to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16264/08]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action she plans to take to reduce the increasing number of cases of people being treated for alcohol related problems as reported by the Health Research Board recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12444/08]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 38 together.

Recently published research by the Health Research Board and the Health Service Executive clearly demonstrates the scale of the harm being caused by alcohol in our society.

In order to tackle alcohol related harm we are taking a twin-track approach, involving, on the one hand, policies and interventions targeted at vulnerable populations and, on the other, policies targeted at the population at large to reduce the overall level of alcohol misuse in society. Government has a clear responsibility to ensure that our laws and regulations contribute, and indeed, drive cultural change in this area. I fully support the initiatives being taken by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in relation to licensing laws with a view to reducing public disorder. The further restrictions on advertising and marketing that I have announced are also part of the Government's ongoing response to the problem.