I counted them out and I counted them back. A few went AWOL but they were miraculously replaced by even more concerned citizens and a dragon. They fought the good fight. Now the day has arrived when, after the battle, they speak to us about the war.
The report from Stop Out of Control Drinking has landed. Regular Undaunted readers know that I’ve had an ongoing relationship with the band of brave souls - so it’s only fair that I mark the publication of the report with a big, gigantic...
Yawn.
Sad but true but let me frame my argument to you. Framed is the big buzz word in the report. That should actually be FRAMe as they want a Foundation to Reduce Alcohol Misuse. Who could argue against such a thing? Surely a body that will:
"Coordinate the national mobilisation of public opinion, inspired by and underpinned by a range of different and overlapping measures, to change Irish drinking cultures over time."
I read that and think, why?
They say the government will appoint an ‘independent' chair but after that it goes all woolly. Funding? Structure? For such a strategic approach, I’m scratching my head thinking of the five 'w's? Who, what, where etc..
Like all good reports, this report has recommendations. A total of 14 to be exact. I read them all and again that big YAWN started. They are calling them '"ambitious" and "integrated". They may have a point.
Having these 14 recommendations in red and white is a good thing. The point is, however, they are so depressingly obvious. Maybe that’s a good thing. It might remind us of how relatively simple some of the solutions are. Things like enforcing existing laws. How Irish is that? On the other hand proposing: "Let's support the non-alcoholic drinks industry" - makes it impossible not to ask, 'And then what?’ Everything seems so obvious.
"Pro-actively shape" was another phrase. What exactly does it mean? They used it in relation to a ten-year inter-generational reduction campaign.
Bless them.
When the merry band began their quest, we all scoffed at their interesting way of bank-rolling themselves. Would it effect the findings? Would Uncle Arthur’s stout-stained glass rings be seen on every page? To be fair, they have come down on the side of strong, enforceable legislation but other than that I’m trying to get excited in the hope that the report will be a game-changer.
Did they do their duty? Are they active citizens who rolled up their sleeves and tried to present solutions? Possibly. Then again, they could be closet Samuel Beckett fans.
The Sun Shone on the Nothing New.
