Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Health and Children, further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 316 of 30 January 2008, the reason for her refusal to establish an office to cohesively and centrally address the issue of alcohol here. [5489/08]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy on 30 January last I have no plans to establish such an Office. However, I want to assure the Deputy that issues relating to the abuse of alcohol are being actively pursued by this Government. Arising from concerns in relation to the effect that alcohol consumption is having on public order, my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has established an Alcohol Advisory Group to advise him in relation to the measures that might be taken to address concerns in relation to the sale and promotion of alcohol products. The Alcohol Advisory Group is expected to report by the 31st March, 2008.

In July 2005, a Working Group on Alcohol was established to help mobilise the stakeholders through social partnership to achieve a targeted and measurable reduction in alcohol misuse. It was comprised of the social partners, relevant Government Departments, Gardaí, National Drugs Strategy Team and Health Service Executive. It examined the issues of underage drinking, drink driving and high risk drinking. The Working Group's Report was published in June 2006. An Implementation Group was established in November 2006 to monitor and report on progress on the implementation of the recommended actions. The Implementation Group is expected to report early in 2008.

The Mid-Term Review of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 contained the recommendation that a working group be established to explore the potential for better co-ordination between alcohol and drug policies. A cross-Departmental and cross sectoral Working Group was established and its work is ongoing. The Group is expected to report later this year. The outcome of the deliberations of these Groups will help inform future policy development in the area of alcohol.