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WE may have a reputation as a nation of drinkers, but new figures show the Irish are drinking less alcohol than a decade ago, writes Breda Heffernan.
Consumption is down by almost a fifth since 2001 and fell by 12.5pc during the recession from 2007. The average adult now consumes 11.68 litres of alcohol each year, compared to the peak of 14.44 litres in 2001.
The study, commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), found that overall consumption had dropped by 19.1pc since 2001.
Peter O'Brien of Diageo, the chairperson of DIGI, said: "Weakness in the domestic economy and the continued pressure on discretionary income are clearly having a negative effect on the drinks sector."
Irish Independent
