Government inaction on alcohol abuse has failed Irish society
Green Party Health spokesperson John Gormley TD said that Ireland has been exposed as the ’sickman of Europe’ when it comes to alcohol abuse, following today’s report showing Ireland has the highest number of binge drinkers in the EU.
Deputy Gormely said: “While many Irish people and their children will be enjoying the planned festivities and events over the holiday weekend, a significant number will be binge drinking and ending up in our hospitals and courts. This is not a new phenomenon and after dozens of reports and a high level task force on the issue, the Government has had plenty of opportunity to tackle the problem.
“Since 2004, most of the recommendations of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol have been languishing in the filing cabinets of the Government. What has been the reaction of Fianna Fáil and the PDs to the growing problem of alcohol abuse in Ireland?; surrender to the drinks industry, the shelving of the Alcohol Products Bill and the withdrawl of the Groceries Order, which allows off-licences to sell alcohol at below cost.
“With the news that one supermarket is offering ‘buy 12 cans, get 12 free’, it is obvious that calls for the responsible selling of alcohol have fallen on deaf ears. Self-regulation in the in the off-licence sector is not working. The Government must now step in and urgently implement all the recommendations of the Task Force. The Green Party will make this a priority in Government and will not put the interests of the alcohol industry and retailers ahead of the those of society.”