Madam, – Brian O’Connell (November 1st) and Bernard Cantillon (November 2nd) are factually incorrect on two important points in regard to addressing alcohol misuse in Ireland.
First, the recent Eurobaromoter report (April 2010) stated that the percentage of teetotallers in Ireland is the same as the EU average, and not higher as Brian O’Connell argues.
Second, the industry-funded drinkaware.ie campaign addresses all consumers but specifically targets 18 to 29-year-olds, where problems are more pronounced. It does not target under-18s because we do not sell, market or advertise our products to minors, in compliance with the law of the land.
Finally, Bobby Smyth’s comments (October 30th) that the drinks industry – an employer of 78,000 people and major generator of significant VAT, excise, and export revenues to the State – benefits from cases of child abuse such as that in Roscommon, is so contemptuous that it does not merit further comment. – Yours, etc,