Study finds fall in underage drinking numbers

The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland has said Irish teenagers are now consuming less alcohol.

New figures, from the Revenue Commissioners, show that alcohol volumes also dropped by 4.4% in the past year.

The group's Director, Kathryn D’Arcy, said the idea that all Irish people drink to excess is no longer the case.

The average consumption of alcohol in Ireland has reduced by 20% in the past 12 years.

Ms D’Arcy said we need to focus on the good points:

She said: "There is a fall in alcohol consumption and we are fast approaching European norms.

"We have seen recent studies by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and other studies showing that our teens are consuming less alcohol than they were a number of years ago, while other countries are seeing that they are having an increase in the problem of underage drinking.

"So I think we are doing some things right and I think we need to focus."