Senior health and community figures are calling on the Government to end the “drift” on its long-promised alcohol policy when a key Cabinet group meets today.
The sub-committee on social inclusion, chaired by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, is set to discuss the troubled action plan.
Government sources told the Irish Examiner there had been a “big push back” within the Cabinet away from the alcohol plan.
The plan was based on the report of a Government strategy group, which was published some 20 months ago.
The Irish Examiner previously reported that a 2020 deadline for ending alcohol sports sponsorship — originally set for 2016 by the strategy group — has been taken off the table and that there may be no time limit now.
It addition, sources said a second key recommendation of the strategy group — that of minimum pricing for alcohol — was in the balance, not helped by the recent U-turn by British prime minister David Cameron to introduce it.
Sources have said they don’t even know whether today’s meeting will actually make any decision or recommendation to the full Cabinet.
The sub-committee is made up of the ministers for social protection, education, public expenditure, environment, justice, health and children.
It also consists of four ministers of state, including minister for primary care Alex White, who has responsibility for drugs and alcohol.
Since Mr White was appointed almost a year ago, the Government’s action plan has constantly been promised “within weeks”.
Group member, Dr Joe Barry of Trinity College Dublin, said: “The Substance Misuse Strategy was published in Feb 2012. Three years went into that report. It was published 20 months ago and since then nothing has happened, nothing but talk.
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 30/09/2013
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
Poll
