Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

The average rate of alcohol consumption in Ireland has consistently been among the highest in the European Union. My Department will continue to seek to reduce the overall level of alcohol consumption in the population to reduce the burden of alcohol-related harm on the health services and society in general. To tackle the problems associated with alcohol use and misuse, we need to take responsibility both collectively and individually. There is social acceptance of alcohol in society and we need to question the signal this is sending, particularly to young people.

On 31 March 2009, the Government agreed to include alcohol in a national substance misuse strategy that would be co-ordinated jointly by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and my Department. A steering group has been established to develop the alcohol element of the strategy. It will base its recommendations on effective evidence-based measures to deal with the significant public health issue of alcohol in areas such as supply, pricing, prevention, treatment, awareness and education. The steering group is meeting on a monthly basis and it is expected that its report will be submitted to the Government by the end of this year.

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