Publicans seek 15% ‘lid levy’ on off-licences

Publicans have called on the Government to introduce a novel “lid levy” of 15% on all off-licence sales in next week’s budget in a bid to raise extra taxes and counteract the problem of the availability of cheap alcohol.

The country’s two representative bodies of publicans — the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland and the Licensed Vintners’ Association — claim the controversial measure could raise €240m per annum for the exchequer.

If accepted by the Government, it would see the cost of a €1 can of beer rise to €1.15. Combined off-licence sales of beer, spirits, wine and cider totalled over €1.6bn last year.