‘Government ignores huge harm drink does to society’

NOT one, not two – but three major reports in the past two months have shown the chronic and harmful effects that alcohol is having on our society.

But despite this, it seems our Government has chosen to ignore all the evidence, and, following reports that tell us rape and crime are linked to over-consumption, as well as being detrimental to family life and health, has moved to cut the price of alcohol, which research shows is directly linked to an increase in consumption.

It was unfortunate that the Health Research Board’s report, Social Consequences of Harmful Use of Alcohol in Ireland, came in same week as widespread flooding and the Murphy report on child sex abuse by clerics.