I support the comments of my colleague Senator Colm Burke on the issue of obesity. It is similar to the eradication of vending machines in schools, particularly those that contain junk food. The idea that they are to be found in hospitals goes against the grain. The health service is struggling to provide good health care within relatively small budgets in many instances, but our approach to health promotion is ridiculous in many ways. We must consider the foundation years and take care of people when they are vulnerable. Children in schools could be looked after in using vending machines that dispense apples or the like. This would help them to realise at a young age that food is fuel and will keep them healthy. Vending machines that dispense chocolate bars, crisps and Coca Cola should not be introduced. Everyone loves to have these foods occasionally, but if they are eaten regularly, they create a significant problem. Senator Colm Burke was right. There is a problem with our general approach to the funding of hospitals. It is a major issue and I support the Senator in his call.

I raise the issue of alcohol consumption, harm and costs. Today, a new report by the Health Research Board highlights a large number of statistics that I have before me but which I will not go through on the Order of Business. The impact of alcohol-related issues on our health is serious, although I sound like a killjoy in discussing all of these issues on the Order of Business. The report highlights the fact that the rate of alcoholic liver disease trebled between 1995 and 2013. It makes various points about the impact on our health, of which I will mention a couple.

The number of patients discharged from hospital whose condition was fully attributable to alcohol increased by 82% between 1995 and 2013, from 9,420 to 17,120. Between 2001 and 2010 one in ten breast cancer cases was attributable to alcohol. Perhaps the impact of alcohol on the economy might get people to concentrate on the issue a little more. In 2013 alcohol related discharges accounted for 160,210 bed days in public hospitals. Alcohol related issues cost the taxpayer €1.5 billion per annum. I could speak about this issue for an entire day. Will the Leader request the Minister for Health to come to the House as soon as possible to progress the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015? Minimum pricing would help because there is a clear correlation between the price of alcohol and the amount people drink. Addressing the issue of price would be a step in the right direction.