A Department of Health expert group has recommended that drinks industry sponsorship of sport and other large events be phased out by 2016.
The report was compiled by the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group, which was set up to identify ways of tackling the problems caused by alcohol misuse.
The report also recommends legislation for minimum alcohol pricing, a ''social responsibility'' levy on the drinks industry and a 9pm watershed for alcohol advertising on television and radio.
The department's Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said alcohol was responsible for 88 deaths each month in 2008.
The expert group report says that alcohol is associated with 2,000 hospital beds being occupied every night.
The related illness cost is over €1.2bn a year.
Welcoming the recommendations, Royal College of Physicians' Prof John Crowe said that "alcohol-related harm is not confined to the heaviest drinkers" but that "binge drinkers account for much of the acute alcohol-related problems".
"Restrictions on availability, pricing, advertisements and sponsorship are the main issues to be addressed" he added.
The report was also welcomed by children's charity Barnardos, which said that the inclusion of a section on children affected by parental drinking was a particularly significant development.
It also welcomed the report's emphasis on children and young people at particular risk of engaging in alcohol misuse.
However, the Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society, an awareness group funded by the drinks industry, criticised the steering group and accused its members of being prejudiced.
MEAS said it agreed with many of the recommendations but was opposed to any levy on alcohol and to moves to reduce the "low risk" weekly drinking guidelines.
The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland said that implementing the proposals on sponsorship and advertising will impact indigenous industries and sporting and cultural events.
ABFI Director Kathryn Darcy added that the proposed 'social responsibility' levy would effectively be another tax on doing business in Ireland.
The report was presented to the Minister of State at the Department of Health Roisin Shortall at a news conference at the department this morning.
Ms Shortall said the report will be taken to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children next month.
After that, a draft action plan will be prepared and draft proposals will be brought to Government.
