Ógra FF branch against raising legal drink age

THE young people’s wing of Fianna Fáil in Limerick has warned against any government move to raise the legal age for buying drink from 18 to 21.

Their stance comes days after a new task force was named by Justice Minister Brian Lenihan to bring forward proposals to tackle underage drinking. Raising the legal age is understood to be one step which this group will consider.

Ógra Fianna Fáil in Limerick West came out against raising the legal age at the weekend. They also said restricting the purchase of off licence drink to those aged 21 and over would penalise the vast majority of young people who drink in a responsible manner.

Michael Lane of the Limerick West Ógra FF executive said: “There is no doubt we have a problem with regard to underage binge drinking. The age limit in Europe is 18 and I think it would be wrong of us to move from the European norm. It is unlikely that raising the age from 18 to 21 would work as young people are all the time travelling in Europe nowadays.

“We feel the way forward is not through a new age restriction, but rather education. Raising the age limit won’t impact on those who engage in antisocial behaviour through drink. These people will still get their hands on it, whatever the law is. We certainly have a problem here which they don’t seem to have in other European countries. They don’t seem to have this binge drinking culture to the extent that we seem to have. Tackling the problem is not just a challenge for the government but all of us, particularly young people.”

He said if people can vote at 18 it did not make sense to take away their right to buy alcohol.

Mr Lane said: “Many people at the age of 18 are starting out in college. Students bring back drink to their accommodation and have it watching sport on TV or whatever. ”

A more healthy attitude towards drink he said should be promoted with the help of sporting and other organisations.

Mr Lane said: “We need to cultivate a more healthy attitude towards drink and convince young people that it is not cool to get drunk and, indeed, is very dangerous.”