Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 1

Written Answers - Alcohol Misuse.

John Dennehy

Question:

437 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has plans to restrict the power of publicans to provide free or discounted alcohol promotions in view of the severe damage which binge drinking, encouraged by such offers, can cause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7392/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I have expressed my concerns about the issue of alcohol misuse on many occasions. One of the recommendations of the strategic task force on alcohol which I established last year concerns limiting harm in the drinking environment by restricting sales promotions that encourage high-risk drinking. An interdepartmental group is now being established to co-ordinate the responses of the relevant Departments to these recommendations. The first meeting of the interdepartmental group will take place later this month, and I expect a report from the group by early autumn.

The health promotion unit of my Department also supported an initiative aimed at tackling alcohol promotions on third level campuses. A National Working Group on Alcohol Consumption in Higher Education was established by the heads of universities and third level institutions to formulate a response to a growing concern about alcohol promotion practices on campus, high-risk drinking among students and its impact on student academic achievement and student attrition. A framework for the development of a college alcohol policy was developed by the national alcohol policy adviser, who is a member of the working group, and each third level institution can adopt the guidelines to reflect the needs and aspirations of their own campus environment. An evaluation of this initiative will take place later this year.