Minister calls on Junior Cert students to celebrate responsibly

Minister for Health Promotion and Food Safety Mary Wallace TD today asked students collecting their Junior Cert results to celebrate sensibly and not to include alcohol in their festivities.

The Minister called on those licensed to sell alcohol to be extra vigilant at this time.

“We know from recently published research that about half the children between the ages of 15 to 17 report to be current drinkers and just over a third report to have been ‘really drunk’ in the previous 30 days.

“Children under the age of 18 appear to have little difficulty in accessing alcohol,” said Minister Wallace.

“An acceptance and comfortable familiarity with alcohol exists in Irish society. Alcohol is deeply rooted in Irish culture. The adverse effects of alcohol extend beyond physical health issues to mental, social and financial problems. There is a continuum of problems, which can affect everyone across the community.

“Purchasing alcohol for supply to a person under the age of 18 is illegal. I am calling on people not to buy or supply alcohol for anyone underage. We cannot be complacent about the potential short-term and longer term risks involved for our young people.”