Alcohol consumption in Ireland is increasing at an alarming rate, the Minister for Health Mr Martin warned tonight.
Mr Martin said alcohol-related problems cost Irish society about euro 1.6 million a year in areas such as healthcare, road accidents, crime and lost productivity.
He told the Alcohol in Irish Societyforum in Dublin's Temple Bar hotel. that urgent action must be taken to raise awareness among Irish people.
"We in Ireland have had the highest increases in alcohol consumption among EU countries," he told the forum.
"Between 1989 and 2001 alcohol consumption per capita in Ireland increased by 49 per cent, while 10 of the European Union member states showed a decrease and three other countries showed a modest increase during the same period."
Mr Martin said that in 2001, Ireland ranked second after Luxembourg for alcohol consumption, with a rate of 11.4 litres of alcohol consumed per person, compared to the EU average of 9.1 litres per person. "We all know the adverse effects of alcohol consumption," he said. "They extend beyond the physical health issues to mental, social, emotional and financial.
"The consequences of excessive alcohol consumption can affect everyone across the community."
He said the most recent phase of the government's alcohol awareness campaign, launched in February 2001, was intended to target the 18 to 29-year-old "binge drinkers".
The minister said it was evident that some of the campaign's initiatives were beginning to make an impact.
He added however: "While some progress is being made there is much more to achieve.
"I would like to emphasise again that the grave nature of this problem demands further attention, and while I am directly responsible for implementing alcohol policy we all have a responsibility to address the issue."