Leo Varadkar: EU court ruling 'doesn't strike down minimum pricing' for alcohol

The Health Minister Leo Varadkar says increasing excise on alcohol will not necessarily increase the price of alcohol in shops.

Mr Varadkar says he is aware of some retailers who are selling drink below the combined cost and amount of the excise duty.

Minister Varadkar wants to increase the price of alcohol in an effort to tackle binge drinking.

Earlier, the European court of Justice directed the Irish Government to explore other options to increase the price of drink, as minimum unit pricing might be against European law.

The plans would see cans of beer costing from around €1.95 and bottles of wine at least €8.60.

The minister says he will continue to bring forward plans for a minimum price on alcohol.

Mr Varadkar said: "I think it's important to point out that the judgement doesn't strike down minimum unit pricing, it is still permissible, but it does require us to look at alternative measures, such as taxation.

"We have done that. There are retailers selling alcohol for below the cost of the combined excise and VAT and that shows why taxation is not as effective as minimum unit pricing."