Govt inaction over alcohol excise 'incomprehensible'

Alcohol Action Ireland, the national charity for alcohol-related issues, today branded the Government’s decision to keep alcohol excise duty at the same slashed levels as last year as "incomprehensible" in the current climate of savage cuts to essential services.

Alcohol Action Ireland Director Fiona Ryan said: "Last year, the Government cut excise duty on alcohol and that resulted in the loss of millions in badly-needed tax revenue for the Exchequer. We are now facing savage cuts to essential services and tax and levy hikes but the price of alcohol, a luxury good, will remain the same.