Sir, - In December, during his one-day visit to Dublin, President Clinton was brought for a "liquid lunch" to Guinness's, before adjourning for a "quiet afternoon pint" in the Taoiseach's local. These actions, as well as providing free advertising for the country's largest brewery and the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, also highlighted the "glorification of alcohol" culture that exists in this country at present.
Alcohol advertising, and attitudes towards alcohol are two of the issues which the Minister for Health addressed in launching his campaign. Perhaps he should seek to ensure that, in the future, his own party leader helps rather than hinders efforts made to confront the destruction caused by alcohol abuse in this State. - Yours, etc.,
Padraig O hUallachain, Leeson Street Upper, Dublin 4.