Alcohol health warnings to tackle bingeing

Alcoholic drinks will carry calorie counts, health warnings, and a minimum price floor under a wide-ranging Government bid to combat abuse.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar denied that the Cabinet was “spineless” for abandoning moves towards stopping drinks giants sponsoring sporting events.

Mr Varadkar said he expected the ban on below-cost-selling to come into force after the outcome of European challenges to a similar move in Scotland, expected this November.