Minister criticises drinks industry

Simplistic solutions to this State's alcohol problem will not work as no single culprit has caused the problem, the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, said yesterday.

More money, fewer parental controls, societal changes, changing lifestyles all contributed to the problem, the Minister told the "Alcohol, Ethics and Society" conference. Alcohol consumption increased by 41 per cent per capita between 1989 and 1999, but this could not be blamed on the longer opening hours which were only introduced two years ago, he said.

"However, there can be no doubt that the drinks industry, in its attempt to capture market share, is pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable in terms of identifying consumption of alcohol with being "cool", self confident or sexy."

Mr McDowell said he was concerned at the "disturbing practice" of having a cover charge for entry to a pub in conjunction with cheaper alcoholic drinks. "It would appear that this is designed to encourage excessive alcohol consumption," he said. Gardaí should oppose renewal of licences where such practices existed.

He said he would like to see a return to smaller licenced premises serving local communities, than the development of more "super pubs".

Prof Joyce O'Connor, National College of Ireland president, asked if the appropriate use of alcohol could be "consistently observed" in society.

"Do young people as they grow up have role models demonstrating that drinking in moderation is the norm?

Are the norms around moderate drinking behaviour well-established?"

She called for a shared vision on how alcohol should be used in society.

"Getting the balance right between an individual's freedom to choose and the right of society to protect the community from harm is a difficult task."