Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Tuesday) said proposals signed off by the Government today will reduce irresponsible alcohol consumption in this country and reduce the harm associated with the wide-spread misuse of alcohol.

“The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 contains far reaching measures to tackle the widespread problem of alcohol misuse in this country.

“I particularly welcome the proposal to make it illegal to sell alcohol at a price below a set minimum price. The minimum unit price will be set at a level which evidence shows will reduce the burden of harm from alcohol. A minimum unit price for alcohol is something I have been campaigning heavily for.

“Minimum unit pricing is a targeted measure that is able target cheaper alcohol relative to its strength because the minimum price is determined by and is directly proportional to the amount of pure alcohol in the drink.

“For the first time alcohol is being addressed as a public health measure which makes this a legislative milestone. It deals with all of the important aspects that must be addressed including price, availability, information and marketing.

“I believe many people have a problem with alcohol. It is killing three people every week and that is too much. The facts about our alcohol consumption do not tally with the relationship we think we have with it. I don’t say this as a killjoy or puritan, but as a mother, a concerned member of a community and a public representative.

“There are almost two and a half million people in Ireland who drink. Over half of these drink harmfully and excessively, that is 1.24 million people. Every night, 2,000 hospital beds are occupied for alcohol related reasons.

“I believe that minimum unit pricing is a key part of the Government’s strategy to deal with alcohol misuse and is the one measure that will make the most difference most quickly.

“There is an urgent need for a major sea-change and in how we view our national relationship with alcohol. I believe that minimum unit pricing will help to achieve that in conjunction with the wider approach of these proposals.”