Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly has called on parties opposing minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Northern Ireland to state their reasons. He made the remarks ahead of a statement by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt in the Assembly on Tuesday.

Donnelly represents East Antrim. He stated the policy would ease pressure on the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The Department of Health records over 20,000 alcohol-related criminal offences each year.

Donnelly noted that a 50p unit price would cut those crimes by an estimated 1,222 annually. That reduction would lower associated costs by about £11 million.

Health Minister Nesbitt has said time is running out to introduce the policy. He expects it to face blockage in the Executive.

Donnelly pointed to Scotland's experience after introducing minimum unit pricing. Alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions fully due to alcohol both fell there.

Donnelly argued Northern Ireland should adopt a similar policy. He also called for institutional reform to prevent one party from blocking evidence-based decisions that save lives.