Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to have the opportunity of welcoming you to today’s launch of the Report of the Alcohol Advisory Group and publication of the Government’s initial response to its recommendations in the form of the Intoxicating Liquor/ Public Order Bill 2008.
In particular, I want to welcome to Dr Gordon Holmes who chaired the Advisory Group and to congratulate him and the other members of the Group for prompt delivery of an excellent Report.
Within the short time available to it, the Advisory Group has assembled the key facts regarding our alcohol consumption, including our high rates of alcohol consumption, our pattern of binge drinking and the link between public order issues and alcohol. Based on its analysis of this data, the Group has made a series of practical recommendations for reforms in licensing law and public order legislation.
The Minister will outline the proposals for legislative reforms contained in the draft Bill which are intended to combat increasing availability and excessive consumption of alcohol as well as drunkenness and public disorder. I want to take this opportunity to endorse those proposals and to express the hope that publication of the draft legislation will trigger a broader debate on the role of alcohol in our society and how all stakeholders can contribute to resolving problems of alcohol-related harm.
Of course the State has a key role to play in ensuring that licensing laws and public order legislation is adequate and effective. Parents too have an indispensable role. Nor should we overlook the importance of personal responsibility.
The personal and social consequences of excessive alcohol consumption are well captured in a report entitled “Alcohol Related Harm in Ireland” which was published earlier this week. It makes for grim reading.
For example, it confirms that alcohol is a contributory factor in more than one third of road fatalities. Alcohol and substance abuse are also strongly related to suicide and deliberate self harm. The negative effects also impact on the workplace.
Most Irish people are sensible in their enjoyment of alcohol. The problem, as I see it, involves a particular attitude to alcohol that has become more widespread in our society.
This attitude prioritises ‘drinking to get drunk’ and binge drinking, rather than having a few social drinks with friends. What I want to see is balance, whereby people can choose to enjoy socialising with a few drinks without resorting to binge drinking.
As a society, we need to take responsibility both collectively and individually in order to address the problems arising from excessive consumption of alcohol. We need to examine our acceptance of heavy drinking and the signal that this is sending, particularly to our young people.
Government has a clear responsibility to ensure that our laws and regulations are supportive of cultural change in this area. The draft Bill published today is a concrete example of the Government’s determination to do its part in changing attitudes to alcohol consumption. I commend Minister Lenihan for bringing forward the new Bill and I look forward to its enactment.
I now hand you over to Minister Lenihan to present the details of the new Intoxicating Liquor Bill.
Thank you.
ENDS