Revenue’s excise take on alcohol falls

SHOPPERS heading North for wine and spirits means the Revenue’s excise take on alcohol is down more than €31 million this year.

The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) said the 8% drop in excise receipts in the year to the end of May 2009 highlights the gloomy times for the industry.

The ABFI blamed the exodus of shoppers to the North and the general economic downturn as the reasons for the drop.