Ireland's alcohol problem is serious and urgent. Continuing public discussion is needed on what should be done to address it, along with determined political action to implement what has been agreed.
The Taoiseach's comments on the subject yesterday are welcome for highlighting the problem once again and for their commitment to introduce new legislation. But all will depend on how rapidly and coherently legislation is brought in - and how effectively it is implemented once passed.
Mr Ahern concentrated particularly on how young people are exposed to drinks advertisements and promotions of alcohol. Within the overall 50 per cent increase in Irish consumption since 1989 - which has brought this State from 12th to second place in world rankings - young people have been especially targeted by the drinks industry. The results are seen in binge drinking, street thuggery and a failure to provide alternative recreational facilities for the new generation.
The measures outlined by the Taoiseach will ban alcohol advertising before 10 pm and on public transport and in cinemas where under-18 films are being shown. Mr Ahern said it is also planned to ban low-cost sales or special promotions of alcohol products. He appealed to manufacturers to stop producing proprietory brands aimed especially at young people.
Most of these proposals arise from the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol, which reported recently. As with many severe social problems there is no shortage of information and analysis on what should be done, but questions arise as to the will to do it.
According to the Department of Health yesterday, there is little likelihood that legislation will be introduced this year and no indication as yet of how long it will take to complete.
This is a disappointing indication that departmental delays or ill-preparedness can upend political commitments to act made by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell. These problems demand attention and should be tackled more urgently than this.
Advertising regulations and appeals to manufacturers will not be sufficient to turn this tide of over-dependency on alcohol. They have been built up by greater prosperity and the continuation of "bad old habits that have never gone away", as the President, Mrs McAleese, put it recently.
Higher taxes and much more rigorous implementation of the law also have a role to play and must be brought into the foreground of this debate.