Catherine Conlon: Lobbyists continue to deny the reality of alcohol harm in Ireland

Evidence shows that four people die every day from alcohol-related illness in Ireland, while hundreds of thousands of families are severely impacted by alcohol harm

Drinks Ireland, a branch of business group Ibec, has called for a 15% decrease to the excise rate on wine over the next two budgets

Drinks Ireland, a branch of business group Ibec, has called for a 15% decrease to the excise rate on wine over the next two budgets as Ireland continues to witness "an overall shift in consumption trends" and a move to "a more balanced and moderate approach to drinking". 

Its market report for 2022 showed that the market share for wine in Ireland fell by 8.9% in 2022 and by 17% compared to 2020 during the covid pandemic when pubs were closed. With per capita consumption of wine down almost 2% last year, Drinks Ireland said this points towards a "continued downward trajectory of Irish alcohol consumption", with wine sales 3% lower than pre-pandemic.