Madam, - Over the last few years, alcohol in Ireland became more available as a result of extended opening hours, increased availability in off- licences, petrol stations and restaurants, and an increase in the number of special exemptions. As availability increased, so did our alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm. The high level of consumption is compounded by the fact that we have the highest level of binge drinking in Europe.
Regulating the availability of alcohol (limiting the number of outlets and time of sales) is amongst the most effective measures in reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm.
The proposal by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to liberalise and deregulate the availability of alcohol is completely at variance with the evidence-based approach to reducing alcohol-related harm.
The faculty considers that in advance of a new national alcohol strategy, any proposals to deregulate the availability of alcohol are premature, and should be postponed until they are considered in the context of an overall and comprehensive national alcohol policy.
Dr DECLAN BEDFORD, Faculty of Public Health Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin 2.
Madam, - It seems a little disingenuous to suggest that Michael McDowell's proposals for cafe bar licensing are nothing more than a distraction from the main debate, (June 15th). There is no doubt that Ireland's alcohol culture has been identified as one of the most destructive aspects of our society.
For years we have had TV adverts, college alcohol policy programmes, public awareness campaigns and countless other initiatives attempting to re-educate the public, yet all seem to have met with little or no success.
However, trying to implement a best practice policy without changing the basic structures that foster the problem seems to me to be putting the cart before the horse. The fact remains that despite all these educational initiatives, the consumer is still left with only one option: the pub. On any night out in Dublin, if anyone seeks a non-alcoholic alternative, there are very few late night cafes available. Now it seems that there will only be two options: the pub, or a restaurant, neither of which has the same ambience as a cafe, not to mention the expense.
Despite their best efforts to claim that they are tackling the alcohol problem, it seems that those in opposition to the proposals are themselves falling victim to the endemic nature of Irish drinking culture, as well as pandering to vested business interests.
Perhaps they could look abroad and be brave enough to adopt the practices of our continental neighbours, and learn the true meaning of the phrase, 'Dutch courage'. - Yours, etc,
BRID CANNON, Stillorgan, Co Dublin