Sir, – Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, rightly is a great believer in State-regulated support for our very successful Road Safety Strategy and has brought in much new legislation since taking office.
It is all the more surprising then that, in contrast, he is a champion of voluntary codes of practice where the alcohol industry is concerned.
It now seems he is emerging as a major stumbling block to efforts to break the link between sports sponsorship and alcohol. This measure has been recommended by the steering group of the National Substance Misuse Strategy and is promoted by the Department of Health. It will help lessen the destructive grip alcohol has on our young people.
The more Mr Varadkar explains his position the more he sounds like a spokesperson for the alcohol industry. His quotation of the French situation is a repeat of the alcohol industry’s position last year in its (so far successful) efforts to prevent statutory regulation.
As our economy recovers, other industries and sponsors can be sourced by the sporting bodies.
The health and wellbeing of our young people must be prioritised by our Government over the interests of the global alcohol industry. – Yours, etc,