Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have already suggested earlier this week, and I will suggest it again, that one radical measure we could take would be to increase the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years of age. It has been done in the United States with some success but it is enforced there. A 50 year old who walks into a bar in the United States is more likely to be asked for ID than not. That is the sort of culture we must embrace in this country. The industry, Government and public must work together to come up with solutions in order that the next generation does not suffer the consequences we are suffering on a daily basis as a result of alcohol abuse. We should have day of discussions where we could bring in some of the expert groups in this area, listen to them and come up with solutions.