The cost of below-cost alcohol Below-cost selling of alcohol has been linked to the rise in alcoholism, teenage drinking and even suicide. Anton McNulty looks at the issues surrounding it.

A Government minister has revealed plans to end the sale of cheap drink by imposing a minimum price on top of taxes and excise duties. Roisin Shortall, junior minister in the Department of Health, claimed the bottom line was needed amid calls to tackle alcohol misuse.

One child in 11 is living with a parent who has a serious alcohol or drug abuse problem, Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald has said. Ms Fitzgerald, who took the figure from a 2009 study, was speaking at the publication yesterday of three booklets to help children and adults cope with parental

JUNIOR Transport Minister Alan Kelly secured a special train to take him and Tipperary supporters to Dublin for the All-Ireland senior hurling final. While most Tipperary and Kilkenny fans travelling to the match had to be on 'dry' services, the special service used by Mr Kelly sold alcohol.

THE recently-retired Dublin coroner has expressed concern about binge drinking among young people and said it is surprising that greater numbers do not die from the effects of alcohol, considering what they drink.

A DECISION by one of the State’s leading supermarket chains to sell two bottles of red wine for just €5 today as part of a special promotional campaign has been condemned as “irresponsible” by Minister of State for Health Róisín Shortall.