A new study has shown that Irish parents are among the heaviestdrinkers in developed countries even as teenagers in the country drink less.

The new report by the OECD examining hazardous drinking found that the number of Irish 15-year-olds in Ireland has fallen significantly. Data showed that about 35 per cent of 15-year-olds had tried alcohol in 2010 compared to 43per cent in 2002.

Data also showed that alcohol consumption overall has fallen slightly in recent years. However, the country is still the fourth-largest consumer of alcohol per head of population among 40 countries surveyed by the OECD.Estonia, Austria and France are the first three countries, according to the data.

The Irish consumed an average of 11.6 litres of pure alcohol in 2012, which is about 100 bottles of wine or 200 litres of beer. The amount is compared to an average across OECD countries of just over nine litres and a world average of just over six litres.Estimates from the Revenue Commissioners indicate the amount further fell to 11 litres per capita but the country is ahead of other countries.

The report titled, 'Tackling Harmful Alcohol Use' which was published yesterday.