The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) has called for the reversal of excise duty on alcohol, after new figures from Eurostat revealed that alcohol prices in Ireland were the highest in Europe and 75% higher than the EU average.
The Group said that the high price of alcohol in Ireland is directly related to the unfair excise rate, and that this is a "direct tax on jobs, tourism and consumers".
Between 2012 and 2013 the Government implemented excise increases as an emergency measure, and these increases have remained in place ever since.
In less than 12 months between December 2012 and October 2013, the Irish government increased excise on beer by 44%, on spirits by 37%, and on wine by 62%.
Donall O'Keeffe, Secretary of DIGI commented, "Excise increases in Budget 2012 and 2013 were applied at a time of economic crisis and now that we are moving towards recovery, a reversal should be applied to take this heavy burden from consumers, tourists and businesses in the drinks and hospitality sector."
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan
