Alcohol data: Adults are consuming less alcohol now than they were five years ago, research conducted on behalf of the drinks industry has found. It also claims that a report by an Oireachtas committee, published last week, had exaggerated the extent of alcohol consumption by using out-of-date figures.
The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) said yesterday that there had actually been a 5.9 per cent decline in the amount of alcohol consumed per person between 2001 and 2005.
It said that in 2001, there were 1,128 litres of alcohol consumed per person, but by 2005 this had reduced to 10.62 litres per person.
The amount of alcohol consumed per adult - defined as 15 years and older - fell by 6.8 per cent over the same period (14.37 litres to 13.39 litres).
The figures also show that the amount of money on alcohol as a percentage of total consumer expenditure is also declining. "In 1996 the proportion of expenditure by consumers on alcohol stood at 10.8 per cent. In 2004 that figure had declined to 9 per cent," it said.
The figures were compiled by Anthony Foley of Dublin City University's business school, using Revenue And Central Statistics Office data.
An Oireachtas committee report published last week said that Irish drinkers consumed almost twice the European average. It said that in the 10 years to 1999, per capita alcohol consumption rose by 41 per cent. These figures showed per capita consumption was running at 15 litres per year.
DIGI, the industry's lobby group, criticised the report, drawn up by the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community Rural And Gaeltacht Affairs, saying the analysis was "seriously handicapped because the data on which it is based is seriously out of date".
DIGI chairman Michael Patten said: "A coincidence of factors combined to increase the level of per capita alcohol consumption in Ireland in the 1990s - particularly the huge growth in the percentage of people in the 18-25 age group bracket.
"As that cohort is passing through the population, consumption figures per head of population and per adult are declining as anticipated."
Cecilia Keaveney, chairwoman of the Oireachtas committee which compiled the report, said last night that it did not matter what statistics were used, "Ireland still has a serious alcohol problem".
Ms Keaveney said the misuse of alcohol could be seen in nearly every walk of life, from A&E to domestic violence. "Our consumption of alcohol is still very high compared to the rest of Europe and we should be coming together to do something about it."
Mr Patten said the DIGI realised that there were "serious issues with the misuse of alcohol among sections of the population" and said the industry was committed to addressing these problem areas.
"However, we do not believe it is necessary, fair or wise to demonise the majority of people who enjoy a drink responsibly, simply because of problems caused by a minority."
Ms Keaveney said nobody was demonising drink. In some cases alcohol had beneficial effects, but rather than picking holes in data, the various interests should be working together to resolve the problem.