Soft power of the hard stuff

Sir, – Jack Power notes that Government St Patrick’s Day receptions are an exercise in diplomatic soft power (“The full Irish, Guinness and police raids: St Patrick’s Day in Brussels”, World, March 12th). When sponsored by alcohol companies such as Diageo, as with the Brussels event, they also illustrate the industry’s influence on Government.

In 2025, the alcohol industry invoked spurious concerns about US tariffs and exports to press for a delay to Ireland’s alcohol health information labelling – despite the labels applying only to products sold in Ireland. That influence helped push implementation from 2026 to 2028.

Lobbying returns show that in just four months last year alcohol industry representatives held at least seven meetings with senior Government figures. At one meeting with the Taoiseach, Diageo Ireland’s managing director offered to work with the Government during Ireland’s forthcoming EU presidency.

Official Government receptions funded by Diageo reinforce industry ties and grant continued access to policymakers. This matters because alcohol harm costs taxpayers about €14 billion annually – likely double the cost of tobacco. Our Government would not accept tobacco sponsorship – so, why accept alcohol sponsorship?