Public Health (Alcohol) Bill: Double think dilutes drink law

A PERPLEXING sense of doublethink has effectively diluted key aspects of the alcohol bill published by Health Minister Leo Varadkar. 

The introduction of minimum pricing is long overdue, especially when one considers the need to curb binge drinking by our present crop of young people who are reportedly among the worst binge drinkers in Europe.

Regrettably, the aim is to get this legislation through the Oireachtas by the middle of next year, which means if this government fails to be re-elected, the bill falls with it. And despite Fine Gael’s good showing in recent polls, unforseen events can change everything.