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IF IT helps to shame this Government into protecting society, last week’s report on binge drinking by the Health Research Board (HRB) will have been worthwhile. Researchers found that “enormous damage” is being caused to family life by an explosive binge drinking culture and that there is no political will to tackle the problem.

At a time when the drinks industry is campaigning aggressively for a reduction in excise duties in the Budget, it is time to shout stop. This responsibility falls not just on Government Ministers and backbenchers but on members of opposition parties as well. We witnessed the power of the publicans’ lobby last month when Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey moved to save lives on the road by reducing alcohol limits for drink-driving motorists. Fianna Fáil TDs, under pressure in their constituencies, threatened revolt. It was only when the opposition parties formally supported the legislation that it was accepted. Even now, enforcement of the new alcohol limit will not take place until 2011.