€865k in taxpayers’ money for cheap army mess drink

Subsidised bars that sell cheap alcohol to Irish Defence Forces personnel have received Government subvention of more than €865,000 in the past three years.

The private bars — based in army barracks across the country — sell pints for as little as €2.60, while spirits such as vodka and gin cost just €1.80.

Records released under the Freedom of Information Act have revealed that €865,707 of taxpayers’ money was used to fund the network of discount watering holes between 2012 and 2014.

The use of public funds to provide cheap alcohol to troops at a time when some are struggling to pass mandatory fitness tests has been criticised by TDs.

“Our army personnel need to be in peak physical condition,” Fianna Fáil’s Colm Keaveney said.

“We have seen instances where recruits have been forced to retire because they fail fitness tests, and yet we are spending large amounts of money to supply our troops with cheap booze.”

Under Defence Forces regulations, the Defence Forces Canteen Board is responsible for the supervision and financial control of bars located in 42 army messes around the country.

Documents released by the Irish Defence Forces show the canteen board received grants from the Department of Defence of €485,000 in 2012 and €338,000 in 2013.

In January 2014, the payment of grant aid was discontinued as a basis for funding costs but subvention may still be provided in respect of certain staff payments and “unforeseen costs”.

Last year, the board received a grant of €42,707 from the Department of Defence on this basis, bringing the total amount of subvention provided in the past three years to €865,707.

A price list obtained from the Irish Defence Forces reveals that a pint of Guinness, Heineken, Budweiser or Carlsberg costs €3 in the messes, while a pint of Beamish retails at €2.60. A measure of whiskey will set you back €2, and a bottle of Bacardi Breezer or Smirnoff Ice is priced at €3.

Canteen board accounts show sales recorded in army messes amounted to over €7m between 2012 and 2014, with a gross profit margin of around 26%.

A spokesperson for the Irish Defence Forces said that messes are not public premises but civilian guests may attend at the invitation of Defence Forces personnel.