Italy vs Ireland – level playing pitch?
It shows that Irish consumers paid 80% more alcohol excise tax than Italians. Irish consumers pay an average of €733.08 on alcohol each year while Italian consumers pay an average of €149.46 per year.
The data also shows that in comparison to Italy:
- excise on a standard pint of beer here is 69% higher in Ireland: €0.55 vs €0.17
- excise on a standard bottle of spirits is 78% higher in Ireland: €11.92 vs €2.64
- excise on a standard bottle of wine is 100% higher in Ireland: €3.19 vs absolutely nothing
“Irish consumers are being ripped off in comparison to our European counterparts because of our sky-high alcohol excise rates,” said Michael Storan, Support Your Local’s Campaign Manager, “Between 2012 and 2013 the Government implemented a huge excise increases as ‘an emergency measure’ resulting in excise on beer being increased by 44%, excise on spirits being increased by 37% and excise on wine being increased by 62%.
“These increases have remained in place ever since, hitting consumers, tourists and businesses unfairly. We’re calling on the Government to reverse alcohol excise in the next Budget.”
This is the third year of the Support Your Local campaign which was launched in 2014. The latest research from DCU Economist Tony Foley for Support Your Local shows that the drinks and hospitality industry supports over 200,000 jobs across Ireland.
The campaign therefore asks people to recognise the massive contribution that the drinks and hospitality industry makes to local communities all over Ireland and calls on everyone to Support Your Local.
