Ross MacMathuna, the director of the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) has commented on the issue of excise in the coming budget.
Mr MacMathuna pointed out a number of concerns within the industry, should excises be increased. He noted that Ireland pays the second-highest amount of tax on alcohol in the EU, and that the government already implemented ‘huge excise increases’ in 2012 and 2013.
Mr MacMathuna also claimed an increase would be detrimental to the ‘more than 204,000 jobs, the combined annual wage bill of €4.3 billion and the €99m worth of agri-outputs’ that the industry supports. The uncertainty of Brexit was also remarked upon, with exchange rate fluctuations, cross-border alcohol purchasing, and the impact of the UK referendum on British tourism to Ireland, all giving causing for concern,
The ABFI director called on the government to ‘show support for the business strength and capability of Irish drinks manufacturers’ by reducing excise in this year’s budget. Over 204,000 people are employed directly in the drinks and hospitality sector in Ireland, with a combined annual wage bill of €4.3 billion and supporting €99m worth of agri-outputs.
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Donncha Mac Cóil
