11/06/2013

Minister For Sports Raises Concerns Over Alcohol Sponsorship Ban

Concerns have been raised over the potential lose of sports funding should a ban on alcohol sponsorship be implemented.

Minister for sport Leo Varadkar has said that while there is a problem in Ireland with alcohol consumption and binge drinking, the level of consumption and public order offences are decreasing.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, the sports minister again made a comparison with France, where it is claimed alcohol related issues are on the rise despite a ban on sports sponsorship by alcohol companies.

He went on to ask the Department of Health for an explanation of its rationale for the ban on sports sponsorship but not other large cultural events.

(MH/CD)

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