Not my call: Tánaiste says alcohol excise rebate scheme prohibited by EU directive

Call for scheme was made in wake of price increases announced by Diageo

A parliamentary call for an excise rebate scheme for licensed premises has been rejected by Tánaiste and finance minister Simon Harris. Picture: Carl Court/PA Wire

A parliamentary call for an excise rebate scheme for licensed premises has been rejected by Tánaiste and finance minister Simon Harris. 

Mr Harris said an excise rebate for alcohol sold or consumed in pubs would not be compatible with the EU's Alcohol Structures Directive. Mr Harris was responding to a parliamentary question from Independent TD Carol Nolan, in the wake of a decision by Diageo to increase the price of its products to publicans.