Leo’s grandstanding will not curb drinking

Leo Varadkar’s hyperbole about an increase in the cost of alcohol actually solving the problem of inappropriate drinking is without foundation.

His assessment of this situation can easily be proven incorrect. Look at Spain, Italy and other countries that have even lower cost alcohol than Ireland. They do not have the same problem with alcohol that Ireland has. So what is Mr Varadkar at? Is Saint Leo grandstanding for his own profile?

It is most likely that Varadkar’s proposed legislation will impact negatively rather than positively on society. Crime could rise to fund certain people’s habits. Sound familar?

Also, it will deny people, who don’t cause problems with their drinking, but are hard pressed for cash (and who isn’t these days?) the right to enjoy a drink at their leisure.

On the other hand, the well heeled, and that includes Mr Varadkar, will still be able to have a pint or a glass of wine with little or no impact on their leisure.

This incompetence by politicians for self gain needs to be stopped. It will do more harm than good for society and wastes valuable government time. This measure will not solve our problems around excessive alcohol consumption.

John O’Hara

Old Burrin

Carlow