Global sales of Jameson rose 10% in parent company Pernod Ricard’s first half of its financial year to the end of December while sales volumes rose 8%.

Pernod Ricard reported flat profits of €1.36 billion on sales up 1% organically to €4.62 billion.

Net profits fell by 5%.

Sales growth at the French company was driven by Jameson – one of the top 14 priority brands at Pernod – and other whiskies and champagnes.

The half-year announcement also marked the formal takeover of the Chief Executive’s chair by Alexandre Ricard. Alexandre spent a number of years in Ireland as Chairman and Chief Executive of IDL.

Commenting on the Jameson figures, the present Chairman & Chief Executive of IDL Anna Malmhake said, “In light of the publication of the heads of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill by government, while we celebrate this global success, we are now more than ever focused on the concerns of our home market and the necessary cultural change required to address alcohol misuse in Ireland.

“Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is committed to playing an appropriate role in the development and introduction of evidence-based solutions that will confront this serious issue head on.

“We are as ever committed to the responsible marketing of our products and we’re already subject to some of the most stringent co-regulatory codes of practice on alcohol marketing and sponsorship anywhere in the world. We welcome the move towards statutory codes and we look forward to working with government on these.”