Drinks industry deserves reversal of penal excise duty, committee hears

The drinks industry supports 12,000 farm families and deserves a reversal of "penal" excise increases, the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland has told the Oireachtas joint committee of agriculture.

Peter O’Brien, chairman of the group as well as Diageo’s European corporate relations director, said: “Excise is a tax that we simply cannot afford. It is a tax on jobs, tourism, and the hard-pressed Irish consumer.

“The drinks industry is on the cusp of a period of growth and drinks-related tourism is booming. The right policy choices by Government can ensure that this growth potential is realised over the coming years.”