Drinks industry welcomes status quo on alcohol excise

The Chairman of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), Kieran Tobin, has welcomed the Government's decision to maintain alcohol excise at current levels in today’s Budget.

Mr Tobin said: "This builds on last December’s excise reduction which was passed-on in full by the industry, and had the effect of stemming cross-border sales and repatriating much of the revenue lost to Northern Ireland, as well as boosting consumer spending, the retail trade, the local drinks market, and the economy in general.

“Today’s decision will also assist the employment intensive on-trade, (pubs, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels) that has continued to suffer serious declines throughout 2010 (down approximately 14% so far this year)."