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Ladies and Gentlemen. It is an honour for me to be asked to open this important conference. I want to thank the CEO and Chair of Alcohol Action Ireland for the kind invitation. It will be, I'm sure, a timely and worthwhile contribution to public debate about alcohol, its harms and what we can do to mitigate them. For those of you visiting for the first time, welcome to Ireland and to Dublin.... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland, the national charity for alcohol-related issues, today revealed that two out of three Irish adults back a minimum price for alcohol, a floor price below which alcohol cannot be sold, while almost half of people said they would buy less alcohol if the price were to increase by just 10%. The findings come from a nationally representative survey carried out by leading Irish market research firm Behaviour & Attitudes among people aged 16 years to 65 plus... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland, the national charity for alcohol-related issues, has called on the Government to commit funds to research the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Ireland as part of a wider research initiative into children affected by parental alcohol problems. The call marks the 11th International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Day and comes following the publication of a new European-wide study on children affected by parental alcohol problems. Charity Director Fiona Ryan said: "Even in light of... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland, the national charity for alcohol related issues, today welcomed the drop in youth crime figures but noted that alcohol remained a leading cause of children coming to the attention of Gardai last year. Charity Director Fiona Ryan said: "While we welcome the overall reduction in youth crime figures as well as the 22 per cent drop in alcohol offences in 2009, the fact remains that the largest category of youth offences are still alcohol - related. According... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland, the national charity for alcohol-related issues, congratulated the country's 59,000 Leaving Cert students but reminded them in the run-up to celebrations that they have a choice about whether to drink and if they do drink to remember - there can be a high cost for cheap alcohol. Charity Director Fiona Ryan said: "The Leaving Cert can be a very emotional time for those getting results. We would encourage parents to ask their teens how they're feeling about... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland, the national charity for alcohol-related issues, is appealing to every member of the Dáil to save lives on Irish roads by supporting the Road Traffic Bill. When passed, the Road Traffic Bill 2009 will lower the drink drive limit from 80mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood to 50mgs, and to 20mgs for novice and professional drivers. The Bill also provides for compulsory alcohol testing at the scene of all road collisions where someone is injured. Speaking... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland, the national charity for alcohol related issues, today welcomed the passing of legislation lowering the drink driving limit and allowing for mandatory alcohol testing in injury-related accidents but called for stricter penalties on those flouting the new limits. The Road Traffic Bill 2009 reduces the drink driving limit from a Blood Alcohol Concentration limit 80mg of alcohol per 100mls blood to 50mg of alcohol per 100mls, while the limit for learner and professional drivers has been cut... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland, the national charity for alcohol related issues, today welcomed the new Ballymun initiative to reduce alcohol-related   harm saying the strategy tackles "head on" the relationship between alcohol-related harm and the ready availability of alcohol. Alcohol Action Ireland Director Fiona Ryan said: "Both Ballymun Local Drugs Task Force and Safer Ballymun Community Safety Forum should be congratulated on their innovative community-based strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm. The strategy provides a basis to initiate a mapping exercise across the... Full Story

Alcohol Action Ireland, the national charity for alcohol-related issues, urged parents of Leaving Certs to talk with their children about celebratory plans as part of the organisation's general appeal to students to take care and stay safe. The charity's director Fiona Ryan urged parents to be aware of their teenagers' post-exam plans and to discuss simple 'stay safe' guidelines with their children. She said:   "It's natural young people are looking forward to celebrating the end of a tough exam season.... Full Story