IN his foreword in the National Substance Misuse Strategy steering group report, released last February, group chairman Dr Tony Holohan spoke of Ireland’s “long and sometimes difficult association with alcohol”.

A STAGGERING 10% of Irish shopppers will be heading north to buy alcohol by the end of the year, it has emerged.

IN her letter headlined ‘Irish drink advert codes among strictest in the world’ (September 8), Rosemary Garth of the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland suggests my concerns about Irish children being bombarded withadverts presenting alcohol in a positive light are not based on fact (Letters, August 31). Here are some facts.

IN his letter (August 31), Dr Bobby Smyth accuses the drinks industry of “bombarding” children with alcohol adverts, and questions our bona fides in regard to addressing alcohol misuse.

FIONNUALA Sheehan issued a vigorous defence of her drink aware website (Letters, August 11) following facts and opinions expressed by myself in a recent letter (August 4).

IN his letter (August 4) Bobby Smyth accuses the drinks industry of deception and dishonesty in our efforts to promote a more responsible attitude to alcohol consumption in Ireland.

ON July 14, you reported calls by Dr Conor Farren that the drinks industry be held to account over the enormous amount of alcohol-related harm in Ireland.

SHOPPERS heading North for wine and spirits means the Revenue’s excise take on alcohol is down more than €31 million this year.

THE Government’s decision to combine alcohol with illegal drugs in one strategy reflected the reality on the ground, Minister of State John Curran said yesterday.

THE Government is to combine alcohol and illegal drugs into a single strategy, it has emerged.

Drinks representatives today urged the Government to roll-out pregnancy warnings and unit information on alcohol products.

The decision of the Minister for Finance to reduce the excise on low-strength beer and cider is a vital step in growing the categories, according to Rosemary Garth, Director of the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI).

The Irish Wine Association, while recognising the difficult circumstances facing the Minister, has expressed disappointment at the 25% increase in excise duty on wine announced in today’s Budget.

The drinks industry claimed today it was suffering losses as thrifty shoppers headed north to buy cheaper drink.

THE number of Irish shoppers crossing the border for cheap drink could grow if the Minister for Finance decides to pump up duties on alcohol in next month’s budget.

ALCOHOL sales slumped 7% in the first eight months of this year and a staggering 14% last month alone — a greater decline than experienced over the past six years combined.

THE country’s drinks industry and the Minister for Finance is looking forward to a prosperous Christmas after the European Court of Justice threw out a case suggesting mail-order booze could be duty-free.

THE drinks industry has rejected doctors’ calls for increasing the price of spirits by half in the next Budget, arguing alcohol consumption is a personal choice unlinked to cost.

Harry McGee, Political Editor

Claire O’Sullivan is told children, dieters and vegetarians should watch what they eat.

Food vending machines should be banned in primary schools and more physical activity offered in a bid to tackle the growing obesity epidemic among children, a new report urged today.

Representatives of the food and drink industry have defended the prices charged for their products following criticism from the Government's Consumer Strategy Group.

The employers' body IBEC has called on the Government to reform regulations governing the food and drink sector in Ireland.

REPRESENTATIVES of the food and drink industry as well as advertisers have hit out at a controversial new TV and radio advertising code for children due to come into effect next January.

An economic slowdown, extra taxes and higher insurance and staff costs made 2003 a difficult year, says David Clerkin.

SUPERMARKETS are doubling the amount they spend on advertising to outdo one another in the grocery price-war, according to the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI).