A group representing off licences has slammed the availability of alcohol at self-service tills in Ireland.

Old reliables such as the price of a pint, petrol and diesel, motor tax, and VRT have been left untouched.

The Department of Finance has said it is up to its minister in the budget to decide whether or not to address concerns over millions of euro being returned to supermarkets for selling below-cost alcohol.

The National Off-Licence Association is calling on the Government to reverse excise duties which have been imposed on alcohol in the last two budgets.

Some six out of 10 off-licences may be forced to close if excise duties are increased in the next budget, a representative body has claimed.

Nearly two-thirds of independent off-licences will be at risk of closure if excise duty is increased again later this year, according to a members’ survey.

Almost 60% of independent off-licences across Ireland face the risk of closure in 2015, it has been claimed.

The Government is understood to be preparing to introduce a minimum price for alcohol in order to tackle the problem of misuse.

The Government has been accused of political cowardice for caving in to the drinks industry and not setting a date for the banning of alcohol sponsorship at sporting events.

Publicans have warned the 10 cent increase in the cost of a pint of beer and measure of spirits will put up to 2,000 jobs at risk in the drinks sector this year.

The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) has said it is deeply disappointed over the Government’s decision to increase excise duty

The National Off-Licence Association is hitting out at proposals put forward by the Vintners Federation of Ireland.

The Government has been urged to introduce a national training scheme for people who sell alcohol to ensure their safety.

The Government has been urged to introduce a national training scheme for people who sell alcohol to ensure their safety.

The Government is considering watering down a key recommendation in an expert report aimed at addressing the availability of cheap alcohol.

Off-licence owners have expressed alarm at suggestions from the Government that it might row back on laws compelling retailers to separate alcohol from other products.

THE State is subsidising supermarkets in selling cheap alcohol by refunding them VAT on drink sold at a loss, it emerged at an Oireachtas Committee yesterday.