The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland has rejected calls for increased taxation of alcohol in an effort to combat excessive consumption and particularly binge-drinking.

Binge drinking sessions account for more than half of Irish men’s nights out, new research showed today.

A major European study is expected to reveal today that Ireland is consuming more alcohol per head of population than any of our EU neighbours.

The justice minister plans to crack down on excessive drinking by encouraging a return to smaller community pubs, he revealed today.

The Director of the Rutland Centre in Dublin has called on the Government to introduce a ban on all alcohol advertising in Ireland.

Publicans are responding positively to an appeal to freeze drink prices until the end of the year.

The Vintners Federation has responded to Government calls for a decrease in the price of alcohol by demanding a reduction in excise duty.

The Minister for Consumer Affairs, Tom Kitt, has called on publicans to voluntarily freeze the price of alcohol until "at least the end of the year".