Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader to arrange an early debate with the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Shortall, on her campaign to introduce legislation to control the price of alcohol being sold in supermarkets. Below-cost selling in supermarkets is putting enormous pressure on publicans and their families and is also encouraging excessive drinking at home. Vodka can be bought for less than €15 for a bottle and whiskey and other spirits can be bought for less than €18. Last Sunday's newspapers advertised Tesco selling 24 large cans of beer for €24 and Supervalu had a similar offer for Heineken at €18. It is putting pressure on the trade and also on families. I commend the Minister of State on her work in trying to introduce this even though she is meeting enormous resistance from the industry and also from the newspaper industry. Sunday newspapers rely greatly on the supermarkets advertising between Aldi, Lidl, Supervalu, Tesco and Dunnes Stores.