Disappointment at the GAA's response to calls to drop sponsorship by Guinness led to a call at the IMO conference for legislation on alcohol sponsor ship.
Dr Joe Barry said that following the call from the IMO last year, the GAA had said such matters were dealt with by Congress. At this year's GAA Congress, he said, "the £60 million from the Government dwarfed the £5 million from Guinness".
The public health committee was disappointed at the GAA response and for this reason believed there should be legislation to restrict the advertising of alcohol and the sponsorship of events by the alcohol industry.
Alcohol is promoted mainly through the sponsorship of sports and musical events, he said.
Dr Declan Bedford condemned the Government's failure to support EU attempts to reduce the permitted level of blood alcohol while driving. Such a reduction had reduced road fatalities in other countries, he said.
The conference adopted a motion calling for a 20 m.p.h. speed limit in built-up areas and housing estates.
Dr Bedford said a person hit by a car travelling at 40 m.p.h. had a 15 per cent chance of surviving. At 30 m.p.h. the chances of survival rose to 55 per cent and at 20 m.p.h. they rose to 95 per cent.
Ireland has the third-highest pedestrian fatality rate in the EU he said. The Minister for Health should provide funding to set up a group to monitor the occurrence of disease thought to be related to the consumption of genetically modified food, the conference decided. Dr Elizabeth Cullen said genetically modified food had not been properly tested. The longest test conducted on its effects on humans had lasted for just 90 days.
The conference called on local authorities to control strictly the spreading of slurry on land in the interests of public health. Dr Henry Finnegan said that where slurry was spread on land within 72 hours of a fall of rain, it could run off into the water supply. It could also spread disease among animals.
The conference also called on local authorities to put notices in local media before dumping animal or chemical waste.