One-third of 18 to 24-year-olds are downing four-and-a-half pints or one-and-a-quarter bottles of wine on a night out.
The extent of binge drinking among this age group was described as "stark" by Junior Health Minister Roisin Shortall, who has been forced to water down plans to phase out alcohol sponsorship of sports and cultural events by 2016.
Many of the nation's drinking patterns remain at damaging levels, with one in five drinkers saying they suffered harm in the previous year as a result of their alcohol use.
Men are twice as likely as women to report drink-related problems with health, work or friendship, a cross-border survey revealed.
It found 73pc of 18 to 24-year-olds consumed at least five standard drinks on a social occasion. Those aged 50-64 years were most likely to have a drink twice a week.
The survey of 15 to 64-year-olds was carried out by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs during late 2010 and early 2011 as the recession worsened.
Source: Eilish O'Regan, Irish Independent, 25/09/2012
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