Shane O’Callaghan: It’s time to talk about a fresh approach to teenage drinking

Instead of sweeping it under the carpet, let’s have a conversation about underage drinking, says barrister and Cork City councillor Shane O’Callaghan

In a perfect world, no one would drink before turning 18. However, the reality is that underage drinking is happening every week in every city and town in Ireland, and has been for decades.

One of the roles of a public representative is to foster debate about issues and policies affecting our communities — particularly if those policies do not appear to be working as well as they should.

That is why I proposed that Cork City Council write to the Minister for Justice asking that consideration be given to reducing the legal drinking age to 16.