Drink sale reform - Alcohol is still most abused drug

The appointment of the six-man group of experts to consider the implications and effectiveness of our current legislation governing the sale and availability of alcohol should be warmly welcomed.

Justice Minister Brian Lenihan freely admits there are implications for public health and public order that need to be addressed promptly.

The advisory group is chaired by Gordon Holmes, who was chairman of the Commission on Liquor Licensing. It includes a Garda chief superintendent, a professor of criminology, and representatives from the Health Service Executive, and the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Justice, Equity and Law Reform.