The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland has said that Budget 2016 represents a 'missed opportunity' to further support drinks businesses and off-licences, by not addressing the level of excise on alcohol products.
“An excise reduction would have supported consumers: Irish excise levels are among the highest in the world," said Peter O’Brien, Chair of DIGI.
"We have the third highest rate of excise tax on spirits and beer in the EU and the highest excise tax on wine in the EU. Ireland is now the most expensive country in the world to buy alcohol, with beer excise up by a staggering 44% since 2012. An excise reduction would have supported jobs: the drink and hospitality sector supports 92,000 jobs from grain to glass."
The group welcomed a change in the excise regime for micro-breweries, however it added that it hoped that next year's Budget would finally address the "extortionate excise levels that is undermining the recovery of this industry.”
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Stephen Wynne-Jones
