Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, today (Thursday) said that a new initiative supporting the Government’s Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is a welcome addition to the national debate on the harm caused by alcohol abuse.

“Alcohol abuse is a public health issue that requires the input from many parts of society. It is great to see the people behind Alcohol Action Ireland taking such a proactive approach.

“The Alcohol Health Alliance, which was set up by The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, and Alcohol Action Ireland, will bring together a wide range of public health campaigners including medical professionals, NGOs and charities whose mission is to reduce the damage caused to health by alcohol misuse.

“Yesterday there were 1,500 people in hospital beds due to alcohol related illnesses. We need to turn off the tap of cheap alcohol and the minimum unit pricing measures contained in the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill will contribute towards that goal.

“This Government is serious about tackling Public Health Issues. We did not back down on plain packaging and similarly will not about minimum unit pricing