asked the Minister for Health whether he will take positive steps to discourage drinking and the growth of alcoholism among young people.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alcoholism Growth.
24.
A significant proportion of the Health Education Bureau's budget is already allocated to advertising campaigns against alcoholism and excessive drinking by young people. I am currently reviewing the position and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement about this in the near future.
Will the Minister not agree that the position is becoming scandalous? He will recall that he gave me an answer the other day that something like £1 million a day is being spent on drink. Surely something very much more vigorous than the educational programme, which appears to be in a very low key, is necessary? There is no apparent attempt to stop the enormous very costly and very clever advertising which is directed predominantly in the newspapers at young people.
The Deputy and I agree about this matter. I said in an interview on Radio Éireann this morning that I would like to see all advertising for drink disappear off television.
Surely the Minister knows that this is an enormous vested interest? Most people are becoming very frightened at the international scandal of the drunken Irish which is being put forward. The Minister must take action. He cannot just wash his hands of this question.
There is no suggestion of washing my hands of this matter. I am taking action. I have quite a number of initiatives.
It is grossly inadequate. The Minister need only look at the figures.
Whatever action I take will be an initiative because nothing has been done.
Fianna Fáil have been in power for 30 years, not just four months.
Question No. 25.
Is there any evidence available in regard to the loss of revenue from RTE from banning such advertising?
If the Deputy wishes to control the Chair each time after I have called the next question I will have to take action.
Am I now being forbidden to ask supplementary questions on matters relating to health? Is this your decision?
I am judge of when and how many there may be.
These are questions relating to my particular department. I am entitled to ask some supplementary questions also.
The Deputy gets a fair amount of leniency and I ask him not to abuse it.
May I ask the Minister a question?
The Deputy may ask one question now since he has approached it in the proper manner.
Is it your decision to stop me asking supplementary questions?
I will use my judgment.
Has any estimate been made of the loss of revenue to RTE which would result if alcohol advertising were banned?
That is a separate question.
That would be a matter for them. I would not be unduly concerned what revenue they would lose.
We could encourage them to get it from other sources.
The Minister for Posts and Telegraphs might be interested in this.