Shortall: New drink laws fall short

The Coalition’s proposed measures to tackle alcohol misuse do not go far enough and are unlikely to be delivered before the general election, former junior health minister Róisín Shortall has said.

On Tuesday, the Government published proposed legislation designed to reduce alcohol consumption. The plans include restrictions on the sale of cheap drink, warning labels on bottles and cans, and restrictions on advertising.

Health professionals welcomed the moves and said that they would go towards preventing deaths and illnesses. The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland said the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill was a “huge step forward”.