Excise hikes on alcohol ‘punitive and short-sighted’

Alcohol industry representatives have described as “punitive” and “short-sighted” increases in beer, wine and spirits in Budget 2014.

They said the 10c rise in excise duty for a pint of beer and cider and the standard measure of spirts, and a 50c increase for a standard bottle of wine would drive consumers across the border.

But Alcohol Action Ireland welcomed the rises and said, along with similar increases last year, it would help contribute to a fall in alcohol consumption.