- Vintners say jobs at frisk
- Budget may increase tax on alchol
- €1.42 of a €4.64 pint is tax
Alcohol excise in Ireland is the second highest in the EU, according to the drinks industry lobbyists the Vintners Federation Ireland Support Your Local Campaign.
The Federation says that excise increases are detrimental to the Irish drinks and hospitality industry, the 204,000 jobs, the combined annual wage bill of €4.3bn and the €99m worth of agri-outputs it supports.
They say
- 31pc or €1.42 of a pint (€4.64 pint) is tax (VAT and excise)
- 68pc or €16.41 of a €24 bottle of whiskey is tax
- 64pc or €4.50 from a €7 bottle of wine is tax
Padraig Cribben CEO of the Vintners Federation Ireland said ‘the notion of a €1.50 increase in the pint or an increase in excise duty on spirits by €1 per half-glass is a ludicrous proposition. Support Your Local urges the Government to reduce excise by 15pc in next October’s Budget for a number of reasons including the positive economic contribution the industry makes across every county in Ireland.The drinks industry, and pubs in particular, support employment in towns and communities all over Ireland. We should be looking for a decrease in Ireland’s punitive excise rates as opposed to flying kites about job killing taxes. An excise reduction on alcohol would help create jobs. Support Your Local maintains that excise is a direct tax on jobs, on tourism and on small business. Outside of urban centres especially, the drinks industry and wider hospitality sector makes a significant contribution to the economic life of towns and villages across Ireland with a vast network of pubs, restaurants, hotels and independent off-licences which have a presence in every constituency across the country.
