Dr. Eamon Flannery:

It is very real problem. I mentioned the substance abuse strategy group before. I thought we were there to address real issues and the practical implementation of the 40 recommendations made, some of which were not in accordance with my position, but there was consensus on them within the group. I was disappointed that the drinks industry had chosen to stand aside, which raised the question of what exactly we had achieved after two and a half years. Some of the solutions to the issues raised are within the recommendations of the strategy group.

As a psychiatrist, my job is to prevent suicide, which, unfortunately, has become more and more widespread. Once again, we win when it comes to the European Union in having one of the highest rates of youth suicide, which is matched by one of the highest rates of binge drinking. These two issues are certainly related.