The Taoiseach and Tanaiste, along with the leaders of the main Opposition Parties – Enda Kenny, Pat Rabbitte and Trevor Sargent – came together today at Leinster House to express their support for the Christmas “Designated Driver Campaign” organised by MEAS (Click here).

Using the slogan Drive Straight and Designate, the campaign wants to get people who are socialising during the Christmas period to designate a member of their group to refrain from drinking alcohol so they can drive everyone home safely.

Commenting on the campaign, the Taoiseach, Mr. Ahern, said : “Drink driving is dangerous and unacceptable. This campaign highlights a very simple solution to the problem, and I would encourage everyone to designate a driver as part their plans when they’re getting ready for a night out this Christmas and throughout the year”.

This is the second year that MEAS  has organised their Christmas “Designated Driver Campaign”, and it is supported by the Garda Siochana, the National Safety Council, the AA, the publican organisations (LVA and VFI), the off-license organisation (NOffLA), the Beverage Council of Ireland, Interbrew Ireland,  as well as the wider drinks industry.

Another aspect of the campaign is an annual competition run by MEAS for publicans who come up with the most imaginative and attractive programme to support the designated drivers. Typically, the publicans offer free non-alcoholic beverages to the designated drivers, and also run private coaches, organise draws with various prizes and reduced taxi rates. The Beverage Council of Ireland is providing free soft drinks, and Interbrew Ireland is providing Becks non alcoholic beer to the competition winners for passing on to designated drivers

This year’s winners include the Spanish Arch Bar in Galway; the Arc Bar and associated premises in Dublin; Toss Kavanagh’s in Co. Wexford; the Harvester Bar, Co. Kilkenny and the Kilbracken Arms, Co. Leitrim.

MEAS (Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society) was established in 2002 by the principal companies and trade organisations in the drinks industry to promote social responsibility within the industry and moderation in drinking. Its main focus is tackling drink driving, under-age drinking and the phenomenon of drinking to get drunk.

Chief Executive of MEAS, Fionnuala Sheehan, said that “drink driving is an issue for people of all ages in this country, and while many young people make alternative transport arrangements after a night out a disproportionate number of young male drivers are killed on Irish roads, and the most serious collisions occur between 10.00pm and 6.00am”.

Explaining the rationale for the campaign, she said that “before heading out, whether it is to the pub, or to a friend’s house, it is especially important that we plan how to get home safely. A simple, practical way is to designate a member of our group as the non-drinking driver. And the job of the Designated Driver is to bring family, friends or colleagues home safely”.

Ms. Sheehan said she was particularly gratified that support for the campaign this year had greatly expanded.  She praised the Beverage Council of Ireland and Interbrew Ireland for providing non-alcoholic beverages for the winners’ in the publicans’ competition for the second year running. And she commended Cantrell & Cochrane (C&C) and Coca-Cola Bottlers who are also supporting the designated driver concept over the festive season by providing “designated drivers” who are driving other bar patrons home with three free drinks from the companies product ranges.