Anger as alcohol strategy shelved again

The much-delayed national alcohol strategy has been shelved until next year despite pledges that the Cabinet would meet to sign off on it before Christmas.

The latest hold-up comes as the Rape Crisis Network Ireland warns that continued failure to tackle the country’s culture of problem drinking is contributing to sexual violence.

RCNI spokeswoman Cliona Saidlear said it was time to stop talking about the issue and start addressing it. “We are really disappointed the strategy has not been adopted by Government. There are proposals for minimum pricing and restrictions on marketing we are definitely in favour of.