High tax on alcohol is unfair to small Irish businesses

As you load your trolley with booze this Christmas, it’s worth remembering a huge chunk of your money goes straight to the Government, says Leslie Williams

The typical Irish family, we estimate, will spend at least €250 on alcohol for themselves, their guests and for use as presents as they visit family and friends over the Christmas break.

That €250 is made up of six bottles of white wine, six bottles of red, a bottle of Prosecco for Christmas Day, one slab of beer and a bottle of port or sherry.