Concern over grip of drinks industry

A LEADING public health specialist has voiced serious concern about the Government's closeness to the alcohol industry and increasing sponsorship of sport by drinks companies.

Dr Joe Barry, also a member of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, said many people were concerned in Britain about the drink industry's grip on Tony Blair's government, but added there was a "fairly strong grip" here as well.

Speaking at a conference in Killarney, he illustrated his talk with a photograph.

It showed the presentation of the Liam McCarthy Cup to the victorious Cork hurling team last year. Guinness, as sponsors, were featured prominently.

Dr Barry pointed to the presence of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern alongside a major figure from the drinks industry. That amounted to four hours access to the Taoiseach, he said.

He said such pictures "normalised" alcohol at a practical and symbolic level. Sports sponsorship also normalised it and made the job of tackling abuse difficult.