Government commitment to tackling drink problems

Reducing the misuse of alcohol in Ireland remains a key priority for the government, according to Health Promotion Minister Marcella Corcoran Kennedy.

The minister was talking at an international seminar on public health and alcohol harm that took place in Dublin recently. The event, which was organised and hosted by the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels, saw presentations from Vytenis Andriukaitis, EU commissioner for health and food safety, Professor Nick Sheron, professor and head of clinical hepatology within medicine at the University of Southampton, and Prof Amandine Garde, professor of law at the University of Liverpool.

The minister told the seminar: “I am delighted to be here today to discuss the issue of alcohol. Ireland has a serious problem – we drink too much alcohol. The government in Ireland is committed to tackling alcohol misuse in Ireland and the widespread harm and pain it causes. The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill remains a priority for this government.”