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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Alcohol advertising and neknomination

Summary

Senator O’Neill seeks a debate on advertising standards after dangerous nightclub promotions and the neknomination drinking craze; the Chair prevents naming the club.

I would like to speak about the neknomination phenomenon. I know it was raised in the House yesterday. In this context, I would like to call for a debate on advertising standards. We have seen the problems that can arise when young people who are easily influenced are brought to clubs. As we know, seven people were injured in a crush at Copper Face Jack's on Harcourt Street last week. I would like into read in the record of the House the details of an advertisement that has appeared this week for another club on Harcourt Street. Can I name the club, a Chathaoirligh?

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Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

Senators should refrain from advertising on the Order of Business.

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I will read it without mentioning the name. The advertisement states:

We Neknominate you!

We're challenging you to take part in the Nek Championships this Friday night in [the name of the club].

50 Free pints at 11pm. The five fastest pint drinkers win a limited year long membership Key Ring.

Neknominate your friends below for free entry and a free pint and a chance to win a membership.

I do not think this kind of advertising should be allowed. We need to have a debate in this House not only on the advertising of drink and clubs, but also on the overall question of advertising standards in this country. Young and vulnerable people are being affected. I sympathise sincerely with the Byrne and Cummins families, who lost loved ones tragically through neknominations over the last week. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on advertising standards in this country.

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