Fergus Finlay insists group won’t be ‘used as puppets’ following resignation

The board members of a group set up to promote responsible alcohol consumption all have “reservations” about the campaign being funded by the drinks industry but its chairman insists none of them will be “used as puppets by anybody”.

Fergus Finlay was speaking at the Stop Out-of-Control Drinking campaign’s first public meeting, which was attended by about 50 people at the Civic Offices of Dublin City Council last night.

Mr Finlay was responding to widespread criticism of the campaign’s acceptance of funding from Diageo, which is one of the world’s largest multinational alcohol companies.

Ciara Kelly, a GP and commentator, has stepped down from the campaign after just three weeks, citing time constraints. Attempts to contact her yetserday were unsuccessful.

Asked whether Dr Kelly had expressed any reservations about Diageo’s role, Mr Finlay said “we’ve all got reservations about Diageo”.

“I have spent the last month trying to persuade people that I am somebody with an independent mind,” he said. “For the first time in 35 years of public life people are suggesting that I’m not independent, and I am. I know I am. I know that everybody on the board is equally independent. We all have exactly the same reservation.

“None of us intend to be, or want to be, or will allow ourselves to be used as puppets by anybody. Never mind Diageo. We all have the same reservations – Ciara too – but she’s been a great supporter.”

Mr Finlay insisted there would be no difficulty in marrying the objectives of the campaign with the support it will receive from the drinks industry.

“This isn’t a campaign that is about protecting the profits of the drinks industry,” he said. “I’ve no interest in protecting the profits of the drinks industry. I’ve no interest whatsoever in promoting, planning, doing anything with the drinks industry.

“A group of us have agreed to come together and spend some money – which is the drinks industry’s money – to come up with a plan. If we come up with a plan which stops the drinks industry from making profits out of youngsters damaging themselves through drink, so be it, all for it.”