Sale of alcohol Bill timetable
Deputy Gerry Adams sought publication dates for the sale of alcohol and health reform Bills, citing deaths involving alcohol and anti-anxiety drugs. The Taoiseach said health reform legislation was due this session, while the alcohol Bill remained under preparation without a firm date.
Tá dhá cheist agam faoi reachtaíocht atá fógraithe, the sale of alcohol Bill and the health reform Bill. Yesterday the Taoiseach may have noted reports that there has been a considerable increase in the number of deaths involving cocktails of anti-anxiety drugs and alcohol. The figures from the health research board's national drug-related deaths index are for 2011. The index gives us the latest data on the nature and extent of premature death due to problem drug and alcohol use in Ireland. When can we expect the publication of the sale of alcohol Bill?
With regard to the health reform Bill, yesterday I raised with the Taoiseach the unacceptably high number of patients on hospital trolleys and particularly the alleged failure of some hospital management teams to fully implement the HIQA Tallaght recommendations. When will the health reform Bill be introduced? Will the Taoiseach assure patients and those who care for them that its provisions will address the unacceptable systemic challenges?
Comment on this
The reform of health Bill is this session. The sale of alcohol Bill is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, and there is a great deal of work to be done on it. The public end of the Bill is being worked upon by the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy White. We have had discussions on it and it is coming to a conclusion. There are many complications and technicalities. I agree with the Deputy about the situation on the streets, where unfortunately and tragically it seems that a mixture of alcohol and substance abuse leads to the most horrendous situations. This is a matter of concern to everybody in terms of public behaviour and access to substances and alcohol where it applies to excess. The Minister, Deputy Shatter, is dealing with the sale aspects and the Minister of State, Deputy White, is dealing with the public area. It will be the first time a Bill of this nature is published.