The drinks industry in Ireland should refuse to produce or sell "alcopops" to show its commitment to addressing Ireland's binge-drinking problem, the Taoiseach said today.
Addressing delegates at the European Brewery Convention in the RDS, Mr Ahern said that such a policy would be an "effective and tangible demonstration of the drink industry's commitment to tackling alcohol-related harm in this country."
"A demonstration of the industry's commitment would be to refuse to produce, import, distribute or sell shot-type drinks or sweet alcoholic drinks which are clearly targeted at young people," he said.
Under current EU internal market rules, it is impossible for the Government to enforce such a ban - "otherwise we would do so," the Taoiseach stated.
The Government is also considering recommendations to prohibit the practices of 'happy hours' and commercially-sponsored 'free bars' - events which are deemed to encourage high-risk, or binge, drinking.
The Government is also pursuing a proposal through the European Commission, the Taoiseach said, to place health warnings on all alcoholic products. All advertisements and all promotional material for alcohol would also carry such a warning.
The recommendations are the result of an interim report published by the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol, established by the Minister for Health last year with a view to preventing alcohol related harm.
Other recommendations contained in the report are the restriction of the advertising of alcohol related products on television before 10 p.m., on public transport, in youth centres and at sporting events in which under-18s are participating.
"I think I have made it very clear that the Government is firmly committed to tackling this menace in Ireland - it is vitally important then, that the drinks industry faces up to its responsibilities regarding the overuse and abuse of alcohol," the Taoiseach concluded.
Mr Ahern did, however, acknowledge the industry's contribution to the work of the Commission on Liquor Licensing.
The chairman of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI), Mr Tadhg O'Sullivan, welcomed the Taoiseach's remarks.
"We firmly believe that 'shot' type drinks should not be on the market and we urge all our members not to sell them. We also support the Taoiseach's recommendation to prohibit 'happy hours' and free bars…these serve only to bring the industry into disrepute," he said.
However, Labour's justice spokesman, Mr Joe Costello, branded Mr Ahern's speech as "little more than waffle".
"The Taoiseach has missed a golden opportunity to announce a new initiative on combating alcohol abuse. A direct levy on breweries and distilleries should immediately be introduced," he said.
The latest EU figures (2001) have seen Ireland ranked second highest, after Luxembourg, for alcohol consumption, with a rate of 11.4 litres of pure alcohol per person per annum. The EU average is 9.1 litres per person. Between 1989 and 2001, alcohol consumption per capita in Ireland increased by almost 50 per cent.