Sir, – The figures, methodology and conclusions produced by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland have left me feeling a little queasy (”Irish drinking rate falls to lowest level since 1987″, News, August 20th). I understand that in Ireland one has to be over 18 to legally purchase alcohol. However, for the purpose of their survey, the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland asserts that “The definition of adult in this case is anyone over the age of 15″. It then states that “in 2023 total alcohol consumption went up by 0.9 per cent”. By dividing the total alcohol sales by an inflated cohort of consumers (adding those between the ages of 15 and 18 not legally entitled to purchase alcohol), we get a figure that still shows that consumption increased by 0.9 per cent. – Yours, etc,
TOMÁS FINN,
Cappataggle,
Ballinasloe,
Co Galway.