Ireland's drinking rate has been steadily declining for decades now - in fact, according to recent OECD data, Irish people aren't even in the top third of drinkers globally.  But as alcohol use has trended down, loneliness has trended up particularly among young people. 

So is there a social toll to be paid for our increasingly sober society and is there a defence to be made for moderate drinking? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports: