Sir, - Last week Micheal Martin, Minister for Health and Children, went on record to deplore the bad effects of alcohol abuse on society, the young in particular. Some months ago his colleague, John O'Donoghue, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, oversaw the coming into force of his Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000, which now permits owners of discos to sell alcohol until 2.30 a.m. with an additional half-hour "drinking-up" time.
What has become of collective Cabinet responsibility? - Yours, etc.,
Gerard Brady, Belmont Avenue, Dublin 4.