The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has made a submission to the Minister for Justice in which it claims his plans to reform alcohol licensing laws will worsen Ireland's drink problem.
The IMO made its submission to Mr Michael McDowell's office today and expressed its concern at the possible impact of the proposed changes.
Dr Joe Barry
A new type of licence providing for "cafe-bars" as an alternative to traditional public houses is included in the heads of a Bill published by Mr McDowell.
"Our chief concern is that the proposed changes will worsen our national alcohol problem, by increasing availability through extra outlets and expanding distance sales of alcohol. Far from reducing harmful consumption of alcohol these proposals will worsen the situation', said IMO spokesman Dr Joe Barry.
"All the public debate has been about the café culture. This masks the real impact of the legislation, which will lead to further deregulation of alcohol sales. We are set to see an escalation of our current manifold alcohol-related problems if this Bill goes through as published."
"It [the Bill] flatly contradicts the research evidence available to and the approach being adopted by the Department of Health and Children," said Dr Joe Barry.
The proposed Bill is intended to streamline and modernise the State's liquor licensing laws, and Minister McDowell has invited interested parties and the public to participate in public consultation in relation to commission's proposal.
The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) has also criticised the proposed plans, claiming they "defy logic."
"The proposal to introduce more licences, making alcohol even more accessible, defies logic if the aim as outlined by the Justice Department, is to curb excessive drinking."
We do not understand the direction the Minister is taking on this," said VFI president Mr Seamus O'Donoghue while addressing his organisation's annual conference last week.
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