Going-away drinks will presumably soon be flowing for Diaego Ireland boss David Smith, who has just been appointed to head up Diaego's operations in Australia and New Zealand.

Smith, an Englishman, has been with Diageo since entering its graduate programme some 25 years ago. He leaves the Irish operation after four years in charge.

He was most recently in the news here following the kerfuffle in March over the Diageo-funded Stop Out of Control Drinking campaign.

Smith quit the campaign’s board following criticism of Diageo’s involvement, and was sharply critical of the “we know best” crusaders on social media who led the charge.

There’s no word yet on Smith’s successor, who will doubtless have to put up with the same criticisms and sniping. It’d be enough to drive any sane person to drink.