Hi there,
I have recently been appointed as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I am looking forward immensely to tackling the work at hand at the Department and to co-operating closely with my new Cabinet colleagues.
National Convention Centre
April 2nd 2014
Introduction
I would like to thank Pat Harvey, Executive Chairman of the Alcohol Forum for inviting me back to your annual conference to deliver the opening address. The work that the Alcohol Forum does in raising awareness of the damage caused by the abuse of alcohol is of vital importance in changing our attitudes and reducing our levels of harmful drinking. It was an honour to attend and open last year’s conference and I’m delighted to begin proceedings again today. As you’re all aware, this year’s conference is entitled, ‘Alcohol Harm to Others: When Their Drinking Becomes Your Problem’.
The danger associated with excessive alcohol consumption is under the public spotlight again following at least one tragic death linked to the ‘neknomination’ craze; a crush outside a ‘Messy Mondays’ event at a Dublin night club, and an incident involving drink and drugs at a concert in Belfast on Thursday night. Understandably, the reaction has been one of sadness, concern, and condemnation of our pervasive drink culture.
