A men's health researcher with the South Eastern Health Board has called for work on the development of a policy for men's health, due to begin over a year ago, to start immediately.
Mr Noel Richardson, who is also vice-chairman of the Men's Health Forum in Ireland, said the need for such a policy was highlighted by the findings of a Europe-wide report which found the life expectancy of Irish men to be much lower than in many other EU countries.
Men in Ireland live on average to age 73 compared to men in Sweden who live an average 78 years. Men in Britain can expect to live to almost 76.
The study, from the European Men's Health Forum, also found that out of 17 countries studied, Ireland had the highest alcohol intake among men.
It also found that Ireland was one of the few countries where more younger men were committing suicide than older men.
Mr Richardson said the national health strategy, published in 2001, promised that a policy for men's health and health promotion would be developed. It promised a working group would be established in early 2002, that consultation would begin mid-2002 and its report would be finalised by mid-2003.
However, the working group has not yet even been established.