Doctors at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) have called on the Government to implement a radical overhaul of the sale of alcohol in Ireland.
In a submission to Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan, the Faculty of Public Health Medicine at the RCPI said it is concerned about the degree of alcohol related illness and death in Ireland.
It said: "With 88 per cent of public order offences related to alcohol, 34 per cent of marital breakdowns citing alcohol as the main cause of breakdown, 38 per cent of road deaths being alcohol related and one in every eight patients attending A&E as a result of an alcohol related injury, the time to take major action has long since passed."
The college expressed concern at the increase in the number of retail outlets selling alcohol and is alarmed at the manner and conditions of sale in such outlets, including below cost selling and special promotions.
In its submission the college recommended that there be a reduction in the number of outlets selling alcohol as well as a phasing out of the sale of alcohol at supermarkets and convenience stores over the medium term.
The college also wants the Government to introduce a public health minimum pricing order on alcohol products similar to tobacco and a new licence proportionate to the volume of sales for all supermarkets and convenience stores.