Health

Drinks industry says claim by health group that alcohol is ‘too affordable’ is ‘out of touch with reality’

A report by Alcohol Action Ireland found that alcohol in shops and off licences was now 70 per cent ‘more affordable’ than 20 years ago

Drinks Ireland, the Ibec lobby group, said that Ireland had some of the most expensive alcohol prices in the EU

The drinks industry has accused Alcohol Action Ireland of being “out of touch with reality” by claiming that alcohol in Ireland to too cheap.

A report by the health campaigners found that alcohol in shops and off licences was now 70 per cent “more affordable” than 20 years ago.

Dr Sheila Gilheany, the chief executive of Alcohol Action Ireland, said that the findings showed that new policy measures were needed to combat the level of ...