IT ISN’T THE first time that the Irish government has been called upon to introduce a minimum price for alcohol, something that the Scottish government is making ground on after a judge ruled yesterday the introduction of minimum pricing was legal.

Minimum pricing, which sets a ‘floor’ beneath which alcohol cannot be sold,  stops retailers from selling alcohol cheaply in a bid to prevent people from binge drinking.

Minister for Health James Reilly says he supports the introduction but a number of government ministers have said they are concerned about the proposal. Publicans are also against any plans, saying their trade is already struggling and that imposing an minimum price could be fatal to many of Ireland’s pubs.

With alcohol costing the State an estimated €1.2 billion in health-related costs every year, we want to know what do you think?

Should Ireland follow Scotland and introduce a minimum alcohol price?