The Joint Committee on Health and Children was established in Novemebr 2002, and from the outset, had identified alcohol misuse among young people as a priority in its work programme. In July 2003 a sub-committee was set up to examine the evidence and present a report with recommendations. For the purpose of this report, young people were defined as those between the ages of 12 and 25. The report makes 10 key recommendations to be implemented as a matter of top national priority.