VFI calls for cut in booze excise duties

The Vintners Federation of Ireland has called on the Government to reduce the excise duty on pints by 20%.

The publicans group claimed it would then reduce prices, leading to pints being 50c cheaper.

It follows new CSO figures, which show the level of sales in bars has fallen by 1.3%. The Consumer's Association blames the high prices charged for drinks for the drop in sales.

But VFI president, Seamus O'Donoghue, insisted publicans are not ripping people off. "The average price of a pint in rural Ireland is €3.50. Of that the Government gets €1.40 the brewer get 70c and the publican gets €1.40.

"We have told on the Minister for Finance that if he takes 20c off the excise duty of the pint we will take 50c off at the pump.”