Ireland's alcohol policies rely on 'outdated stereotypes'

Drinks Ireland Director Cormac Healy and Denis O’Flynn of Clonakilty Distillery at the launch of the Pride of Place vision document in Cork, which sets out a range of policies it would like to see implemented to drive growth in the sector up to 2030. Picture: Alison Miles /OSM PHOTO

Ibec group Drinks Ireland has called for more alcohol education and awareness and not more restrictive regulation that penalises most consumers who drink responsibly and in moderation.

It has also called on the government to do more to ensure the survival of the rural pub, with figures showing that in Cork alone, there has been a 30% decrease in the number of pubs between 2005 and 2022.