Dublin  - The Irish government on Wednesday announced a draft bill to aimed at curbing excessive and binge drinking through reforms to liquor licensing and public order laws.

Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Brian Lenihan announced the measures contained in the draft Intoxicating Liquor/Public Order Bill 2008 in parliament in Dublin.

"We need to examine our acceptance of heavy drinking and the signal that this is sending, particularly to our young people," Ahern told the assembly at the launch of a report by a government-appointed alcohol advisory group.

Ahern said the attitude of "drinking to get drunk" had become widespread among Irish people was a problem.

The bill proposes restrictions on the sale of alcohol at supermarkets and garage forecourts. Lenihan said shops would no longer be allowed to sell alcohol at 7:30 am or after 10:00 pm.

A recent report on Ireland's drinking culture - "Alcohol- related harm in Ireland" - said alcohol was a contributing factor in half of all murders and more than one third of road fatalities.

It also linked alcohol abuse to suicides and more than 25 per cent of hospital emergency cases. dpa