Minister Leo Varadkar has been singled out as responsible for alcohol related problems for not ending the sponsorship of sport by alcohol companies.
The accusation comes as the Royal College of Physicians policy group on alcohol, launch a report about the harmful effects of exessive drinking by young people.
Health professionals have long argued against alcohol companies sponsoring sporting events saying it increases harmful drinking.
The Royal College of Physicians are calling on the government to tackle the ever growing problem which is leading to pre-mature deaths as a result of alcohol related diseases in young people.
The health implications range from alcoholic liver disease to increased risk of various forms of cancer.
Members of the group, all of whom are experienced medical professionals, say they are treating patients aged between the ages of 20 and 30 years of age who are dying from alcohol related liver disease in particular.
The policy document by the Royal College of Physicians found that between 1995 and 2007 the rate of discharges for Alcoholic Liver Disease increased by 247% for 15-34 year olds, and by 224% for 35-49 year olds.
Alcohol misuse is also associated with family and social harms, and costs the state vast amounts of money and resources.
The report highlights that despite the high societal and economic cost of problem alcohol use in Ireland, actions to reduce consumption and to address harmful drinking patterns have, to date, been limited.
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland believes that there are proven solutions to this problem which could be implemented immediately for the benefit of the individual and for society in general.
A number of proposals put forward by the group in an effort to curb excessive consumption is for a minimum price to be introduced and to change how the beverage is marketed.
Chair of the RCPI Policy Group on Alcohol and Consultant Gastroenterologist Professor Frank Murray says the Government must also reduce the number of outlets where alcohol is available:
