Underage drinking - Lack of will to deal with drink issue

THE image of young people inebriated after parades around the country on St Patrick’s Day has tended to mar the festivities to the point where people question the manner in which the feast day is celebrated.

Such behaviour is not just unsightly; it is dangerous and it has the capacity to create real problems for the future.

Politicians denounce underage drinking, but they have done little to stop it. Almost seven years ago the Minister for Justice was given power to introduce regulations to provide for the traceability of take-away alcohol sold in off-licences, supermarkets, or pubs.