Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages
Dr. Henry: The amendments are acceptable and modest. I hope the Bill will make a difference because there is a serious problem with alcohol. I am concerned about the fact that there are problems enforcing the existing law in this area. I hope this additional legislation does not confuse matters and is enforced.
I am sure the Minister does not have time to listen to programmes such as "Liveline". A woman rang into the programme yesterday to say that her 15 year old daughter bought wine in three different supermarkets in Dublin and the girl had no make-up on her or anything else that would have made her look older. That was profoundly depressing to hear.
I take the point others have made about parents taking more responsibility. This is important because apparently a considerable amount of alcohol is consumed by young people before they leave the home. Sometimes publicans and off-licences are blamed when, in fact, the drink has been consumed within the home. That is something we must examine.
I wish the Bill well. While the Minister could not accept my amendment requiring those who are repeatedly charged with drunkenness to be referred to an addiction centre, he said he would see if something could be done elsewhere. It is pointless just fining such people. We need to let them know that society reckons they have a problem and we must try to see if we can obtain some help for them. It is not how one would want any person, young or old, to behave. I wish the Bill well and hope it works.
Question put and agreed to.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."
Dr. Henry: I thank the Minister and his officials. The Minister is having an effect already because I went to the unveiling of the Daniel O'Connell painting downstairs at 5 p.m. at which we were offered glasses of water and cups of tea. No substantial meal was being served. The Minister is having an effect already, although they are not yet offering Horlicks at these receptions.
An aspect of the representations from some hoteliers which fascinated me was that somehow all human life would end if children were not allowed in bars all night. Do they not understand that the situation we are now providing for obtains in a large part of the world and there is no decrease in the enjoyment of family holidays? Like Senator Tuffy and others speakers, I have expressed my concern and I intend to keep an eye on the sentencing policy with a view to determining if we can do something with these people. I congratulate the Minister on his efforts.
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