The majority of the Irish public have been less than happy with the new minimum unit alcohol pricing rules that came into effect this week.
The price of alcohol in Irish supermarkets and off-licences increased dramatically since the cheap booze ban hit on January 4.
The measures, introduced as part of the implementation of the Public Health Alcohol Act (2018), provide that different drink products cannot be sold for less than the set minimum price.
Supermarkets like Tesco, Dunnes Stores and SuperValu have hiked their prices in recent days, with cans, spirits and wine now costing a premium compared to pre-January 4 levels.
On Thursday night's Prime Time programme, one segment discussed whether minimum unit pricing will achieve the desired effect of cutting out binge drinking.
Representatives from Alcohol Action Ireland and NUIG's student union debated the merits and drawbacks of the rules.
However, RTE viewers on social media were united in slamming the measures, with many saying they will only target people already struggling to afford life in Ireland.
They took to social media in their droves to vent their fury over the "farcical" law which will "heap financial misery on those already miserable".
One person said: "The Irish government are happy to become a nanny state over mininum unit alcohol pricing but can't introduce rent caps for extortionate rents throughout the country. Farce - rip off Republic."
A second said: "The price of alcohol will not matter to someone dependent on alcohol. Beg borrow or steal they will get their drink, however children and other members of the family will go hungry, cold and lose out on basic necessities due to the price of alcohol."
A third wrote: "We have a serious black market for cigarettes in Ireland, you only have to have a look at people smoking and it's clear from the packets they're not legal cigarettes...
"So it won't be long before time that we will also have a black market alcohol market."
A fourth said: "#rtept alcoholics are going to spend more on drink... That's the result."
Another chimed in: "Minimum unit pricing is only hitting those who are less well off. Instead of solving the actual issues that cause people to drink too much, we heap financial misery on those already miserable. #rtept."
One person stated: "So they can fix the price of alcohol, but not antigen tests."
Someone else added: "We can't afford a doctor or dentist, we can't afford rent, we can't afford to get mortgages, we can't afford a takeaway once a week, we can't afford to drive, now we can't afford to drink or will be affected by the price.
"Generation emigration is now loading why would we stay? #rtept."
While another said: "These increases might be palatable if the increased costs were ringfenced for addiction services or other such endeavours #rtept."
