John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Ulick Burke for bringing this information to the House and for his proactive involvement in researching the case.

I welcome this discussion of the alcohol-related harm which is so prevalent in our society and, in particular, the opportunity to mention the decisive action which the Government is taking to address the problem. Last year, the Health Research Board published its overview of health-related consequences of problem alcohol use in which it drew attention to the fact that alcohol consumption in Ireland has increased significantly over recent decades. We have one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption in the European Union. In 2006, alcohol consumption levels in this country were about 30% higher than the EU average. Moreover, we have a particular problem with binge drinking which is far more common here than in other EU countries. The 2007 Eurobarometer survey found that 34% of Irish drinkers consumed five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting compared with the EU average of 10%. When asked about the frequency of consuming five or more drinks on one occasion, 54% of respondents in Ireland stated that they did so at least one a week. This was the highest figure recorded for any of the countries in the survey. Ireland emerges with the highest level of binge drinking.

The health-related consequences of excessive alcohol consumption are by now well known. They include an increased incidence of accidents, injuries, domestic violence and suicide. Adverse social and economic consequences include absenteeism and loss of productivity. I do not need to spell out the impact of excessive alcohol consumption on levels of crime, public disorder and anti-social behaviour.

I wish to detail the decisive action which the Government is taking to combat alcohol-related harm. The Government alcohol advisory group was established last January last to conduct an urgent examination of the public order aspects of the sale and consumption of alcohol. It submitted its report on 31 March 2008 which contains 31 recommendations for legislative and other reforms in areas covered by its terms of reference. On 22 April, the Government approved the drafting of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008 which contains proposals for urgent reforms to licensing law and public order legislation in response to certain recommendations in the report. Both the report and details of the proposed legislation were subsequently published.

Drafting of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008 is at an advanced stage and the Minister for Justice, Equality and law Reform intends to present it to the Dáil in the very near future. With the support of both Houses, he is confident that this legislation can be enacted before the summer recess.

On the specific subject matter of this discussion, the product in question appears to be a distilled spirit-based drink, originating in Mexico, Canada and other countries and marketed in lightweight plastic containers. Each container holds a single serving. These products have high alcohol content, typically of 35% to 40%, although Deputy Burke said it is close to 80%, which is alarming. While it is not clear at this stage that they are being promoted specifically with young people in mind, the fact that the containers are light, portable and easy to conceal means that they could be attractive to persons under the age of 18.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is currently in contact with the Department of Health and Children about this product and both Departments will explore the possibility of a statutory prohibition or controls on its marketing. However, where any product is in free circulation within the EU internal market, difficulties arise in prohibiting its circulation and consumption within a single country. The introduction of specific national controls or regulations is also problematic.

Some Members may recall that a similar problem arose in 2004 with regard to plastic sachets of vodka, known as Bullseye Baggies, which had been placed on the market and which appeared to be directed at young people. The then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform sought and obtained the co-operation and agreement of the licensed trade, both the on-trade and off-trade, not to market the product and this strategy proved effective and successful.

The Minister would ask the drinks industry and the licensed trade for their support and co-operation in refusing to market and supply the product. There now is a high level of awareness of the extent of alcohol-related harm in our society and anything that is likely to exacerbate or add to existing problems should be avoided. I thank Deputy Burke for raising this issue and for providing the opportunity for this discussion.

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