Leading industry figures sign pledge

Leading drinks industry figures have put their signature to an industry-wide pledge seeking to work with Government to play an appropriate role in addressing issues pertaining to the misuse of alcohol.

The misuse of alcohol by a minority can cause some to lose sight of the hugely positive impact that the drinks industry makes to Ireland, economically and socially.

With this in mind, the DIGI has called on the Government to address the sale of cheap alcohol, ban price-based advertising and regulate the merchandising of alcohol through a statutory code.

Those signing the pledge include Alcohol Beverage Federation Chairperson and Managing Director of Heineken Ireland Maggie Timoney, Chairman of the Irish Brewers Association and Country Director for Diageo Ireland David Smith, Chairman of the Irish Whiskey Association and Production Director at Irish Distillers Peter Morehead, Chairman of the Irish Wine Association and Marketing Director at Findlater Wine & Spirit Group Michael Foley, VFI President Gerry Rafter, LVA Chairman Tom O’Brien, National Off-Licence Association Chairperson Evelyn Jones, Irish Hotels Federation Chief Executive Tim Fenn and Restaurants Association of Ireland President Padraic Og Gallagher.