Madam, - On behalf of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland, I want to take issue with the criticisms made of the industry by Dr Joe Barry (Opinion, July 19th). His thesis seems to be that because the drinks industry depends on the consumption of alcohol it can therefore make no contribution to efforts to control alcohol abuse in Ireland.
We believe that this analysis is flawed. Specifically we believe that the market for alcohol in Ireland will be healthier and more successful if we can tackle the type of abuse that seems to have become more prevalent in recent times. We aren't the first industry in the world to say that we would prefer our product to be enjoyed responsibly by a wide number of people rather than irresponsibly by a small number.
It is for this reason that the drinks industry has funded the operation of the body called MEAS which aims to promote the responsible enjoyment of our products as opposed to narrow, short-term, excessive consumption. Dr Barry seems to think that the entire burden of tackling alcohol abuse falls on the shoulders of this organisation. Of course this is nonsense. MEAS is, however, making a real contribution to this issue and I think health professionals in particular should welcome all contributions to such a serious issue.
This co-operative approach to the problem of alcohol abuse - where all interested parties (including the drinks industry and health professionals) are brought together to deal with the issue - is echoed in the recently announced strategy of the UK government to the similar problems being faced in that country.
The approach and the contribution of MEAS and the wider drinks industry deserves more reasoned analysis than that provided by Dr Barry. - Yours, etc.,
RICHARD DUNNE, President, Drinks Industry Group of Ireland, Anglesea Road, Dublin 4.