Ireland's drink culture is on the verge of spinning out of control, it was claimed tonight.
With people spending more on alcohol than ever before, public health specialist Dr Joe Barry warned binge drinkers were giving the country a bad name.
Dr Barry, who lectures on public health in Trinity College Dublin, agreed that there was a danger heavy drinking, particularly among young people, could no longer be controlled. "It is I think, but out of control is emotive.
"How I would phrase it is that it is causing a lot of harm," he said. "We have a fairly well documented problem, and we also have the name of drinkers. It's not serving us too well."
Dr Barry noted the Exchequer was losing out on around €2.6 billion in dealing with alcohol related incidents such as public order, poor health and absence in work.
He also pointed to the experience of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern on his visits to Irish embassies across Europe.
The university lecturer said officials reported a huge increase in the number of young Irish people arrested or injured in drink related incidents while on holiday.
A panel of experts gathered in Dublin for a public debate tonight chaired by Bryan Dobson and hosted by the Health Research Board and the British Council, Ireland.
Industry experts, vintners, public health officials and researchers joined the open debate. And the HRB warned against the backdrop of a fast-growing economy, Ireland was experiencing the highest growth in alcohol consumption among EU countries.
But the debate was also told alcohol in moderation, especially wine, could be good for our health. Mr Barry highlighted statistics which showed Ireland had the second highest per capita consumption rates in the EU behind Luxembourg.
Alcohol related deaths have also gone up by 16 per cent in recent years and half of men's drinking sessions between the ages of 18 and 29 are binges.
And he called on the Government to take control of policy on alcohol whether it be sports related advertising, sensible consumption or health promotion. "It is about taking control of Government policy, taking it out of the hands of the industry," he said.