Consumers in Ireland pay second-highest excise duty on alcohol in Europe
A new report commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland highlights that Ireland imposes some of the highest excise duties on alcohol in Europe. The findings suggest these high taxes contribute to the closure of many pubs, though critics argue the report is a self-serving attempt to lower tax rates.
Why it matters
The debate over alcohol taxation impacts both government revenue and the viability of the hospitality sector in Ireland.
CONSUMERS IN IRELAND pay the second-highest excise duty on alcohol in the EU.
That’s according to new research commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) and carried out by DCU economist Anthony Foley.
However, the report has been labelled a “self-serving argument to reduce excise rates” by Alcohol Action Ireland.
The DIGI report found that excise on wine in Ireland is the second highest in the EU and UK, while excise on beer and spirits is the third highest.
This means that a pint of beer purchased in a pub in Ireland comes with excise of 55 cent, compared to five cent in Spain and Germany.
Meanwhile, a 70cl bottle of whiskey is levied with €11.92 excise in Ireland, more than half of the price customers pay, compared to a rate of €2.69 excise in Spain and €3.65 in Germany.
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