Ireland in uproar over call for 'drink-driving permits' to combat depression

By Ian Johnston, Staff Writer, NBC News

Permits allowing people to drink alcohol then drive should be issued to make it easier for those in isolated, rural areas to visit the pub, according to a motion passed by a local government in Ireland.

Kerry County Council, which governs an area with a population of more than 120,000, is to formally ask the Irish government to allow some drivers to have the equivalent of up to three pints of beer.

The motion -- passed by five votes to three with seven abstentions –-- said this would "greatly benefit people living alone looking at four walls and restore some bit of social activity in local pubs and may also help prevent depression and suicide."

...

[more at the link]

The complete article presents a rationale that might make this proposal more reasonable than it appears at first sight. There are some obvious difficulties in the application, of course.

Serious comment from the two or three who might actually check the link would be welcome, of course, and there's probably more info nearer the locale. Comment from affected places would be interesting.

John