Sir, - The public order dimension to Ireland's alcohol problem has obviously been exercising the Minister of Justice, Mr McDowell, since his appointment. In addition to the measures he announced on September 24th, 2002, there are a number of recommendations of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol which are within his power to effect or influence.
These include: increasing tax on alcohol in the forthcoming budget (which should have the additional benefit of bringing much needed revenue to the government); encouraging the Garda to enforce the current drink driving laws; bringing in legislation to introduce random breath testing; and lowering the legal limit of alcohol with which it is permitted to drive.
These four measures would have the effect of decreasing the rate of public order offences which Mr McDowell so rightly abhors.
We know from the stated position of the Drinks Industry Group that it opposes these measures and that it lobbies actively to prevent them from coming into place. Surely it is time for the Government to listen to other voices when regulating alcohol supply. Prevention is better than cure. - Yours, etc.,
Dr JOSEPH BARRY, Dean, Faculty of Public Health Medicine, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.