Vol. 577 No. 3
413 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on new figures from the sexual assault treatment unit which reveals that 92 people were assessed by the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, to evaluate possible sexual crime due to memory loss after ingestion of large amounts of alcohol and that alcopops were a particular problem; and if he will consider banning the sale of alcopops. [30694/03]
In the past decade there has been a proliferation of alcohol products that appeal to young people and adolescents. I have expressed my concerns about the issue of excessive alcohol consumption on many occasions and the amount of harm resulting from this high level of consumption. I established a strategic task force on alcohol, STFA, in January 2002, the remit of which was to recommend specific evidence-based measures to Government to reduce alcohol related harm. The STFA published an interim report in May 2002 which contained a number of recommendations, the main thrust of which are to protect health and public safety as well as creating an environment that helps people to make healthy choices. An interdepartmental group was established to co-ordinate the responses of other Government Departments to the recommendations and that group will report back to me shortly.
The STFA are continuing their work and are due to produce a second report next year which will contain further recommendations aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm.
