We have a very serious problem involving the abuse of alcohol in this State and citizens, publicans, concerned communities and the Government all have responsibilities in minimising the damage being caused.
The Strategic Task Force on Alcohol, established by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, has made 78 recommendations designed to curb this abuse and to create a better quality of life for all. As might be expected, the drinks industry is opposed to a reduction in the consumption of alcohol while health and other agencies regard such a development as absolutely imperative.
One of the points that emerged most clearly from this second Task Force report, published this week, is that alcohol abuse is pervasive across all levels of society and is not just something that involves under-aged drinkers. Binge drinking, which entails having six or more standard drinks on a particular occasion, has become the norm amongst Irish men, with excessive consumption by women catching up fast. The report found that the greatest level of alcohol harm occurred among the adult population, with more than 14,000 deaths - not counting road accidents and drownings - ascribed to it during a 10-year period.
One in four admissions to accident and emergency wards is now alcohol-related. And, last year, the financial cost to society arising from healthcare, road accidents, alcohol-related crime, absenteeism from work and lost productivity was estimated at €2.65 billion.
A surge in alcohol consumption in the past decade has been directly linked to improved economic conditions and to an increase in disposable incomes. We now have the second-highest per capita consumption in Europe.
Some action has already been taken by the Government to deal with the resulting late-night mayhem on our streets and to penalise those publicans who serve intoxicated or under-aged customers. A culture change is also required. Parents and ordinary citizens must give good example in their drinking habits. Advertising and sponsorship in sport have also to be tackled to protect impressionable young people.
A key element is price. Two years ago, the Government acted on a Task Force recommendation to tax spirits and cider and, for the first time in 16 years, consumption dropped. This year, a 15 cent increase by publicans in the price of a pint brought further falls in sales. Because of high prices, consumers are spending less in pubs. If the Government is serious about improving public health and tackling alcohol abuse it will ignore the powerful drinks industry and impose further taxes in the Budget.