Ireland: Bishops welcome plan to control alcohol prices

The Irish Bishops’ Drugs and Alcohol Initiative have welcomed the proposal to introduce a minimum cost for alcohol retail outlets. In addition to the human suffering faced by families across Ireland, it is estimated that alcohol abuse costs the State €3.7 billion each year through illness, absenteeism and crime.

IBDI vice-chair Bishop Éamonn Walsh said: “Alcohol is no ordinary consumer commodity and should always be used responsibly and in moderation. I welcome today’s announcement by Minister Roisin Shorthall, who holds governmental responsibility for primary care and substance abuse, that we can expect legislation which will determine a minimum price for alcohol.

"Alcohol is used by multiple-retailers as a ‘loss-leader’ which means that alcohol is both available relatively cheaply and is placed in prominent areas within supermarkets. The reluctance of government not to increase the cost of alcohol in recent budgets has also contributed to the relative cheap cost of alcohol over the last decade in the State.

“Minister Shorthall is correct that price control of alcohol is but one of a number factors which needs to be addressed in order to arrest the increasing level of alcohol misuse in our society. Cultural factors and the prevalence of alcohol advertising in the Irish context also need to be looked at closely. The IBDI believes that:

* Alcohol should not be permitted as a sponsor of sporting events or organisations;

* Online, television and radio alcohol advertising relating to sport and youth events should not be permitted;

* Public policy should be coordinated at an all-Ireland level in order to avoid price differentials for alcohol at retail level and to ensure consistent drink-driving limits and penalties across the island.

Bishop Walsh concluded: “Fundamentally alcohol misuse is a public health concern which needs a remedy such as a unique New Year’s resolution between government, multiple-retailer, the drinks industry and the consumer to radically improve – once and for all - the Irish relationship with alcohol. Such a cross-sectional dialogue should be our starting point for 2012.”

Source: Irish Catholic Media Office