Time for politicians to lead by example on drink

Most people accept that there is a problem with alcohol misuse in this country but increasing the price or making it less available is surely not the solution.

People who want to take excessive alcohol are going to do so regardless of price or availability. Take the recent introduction of more restrictive hours for sale of alcohol, what has this achieved? Any alcohol-fuelled party is planned in advance of the 22:30 curfew and overstocked with drink as it’s not for sale once they run out.

Also is anyone going to be inconvenienced by the enforced opening hours of 10:30am or 12:30pm on a Sunday? Restricting availability will in fact inconvenience the majority of Irish people who take alcohol responsibly. Comments have been made by politicians and so-called experts in this area that it’s ludicrous to have a situation where alcohol is for sale in the same area of a shop as basic groceries. What is wrong with planning a meal, buying the ingredients and then selecting a bottle of wine or beer to go with it? Our European counterparts do it. We’re all adults or has that changed too? While doing so, take a look at the guys stocking up for that party I mentioned, are there any groceries in their trolley? No, they don’t care where they purchase the drink and while cheaper beer or spirits is an advantage, paying a few extra euro is not a deterrent. If this Government decides to enforce the recommendations of the Oireachtas health committee then maybe they would consider leading by example and ban the sale of alcohol in the Dáil bar. After all, having alcohol available in your place of work is surely a bigger problem than having a bottle of wine for sale next to a sliced pan.

Richard Leahy

Ballincollig

Co Cork