Irish drinkers pay through nose
A drink in the local may be a central part of Irish culture, but Irish people pay more than most for the privilege. By Pat Holland - 09/10/09
Research just out from Ernst and Young has revealed that in Ireland, people pay nine times the average EU excise tax.
Only last year, Ireland’s drinkers garnered €427m for the country’s Exchequer.
Ireland is Europe’s third highest exporter of beer, lagging behind the Netherlands and Belgium.
"This report proves that Ireland’s beer sector remains a key component of our export economy and the Government needs to ensure that their future approach to taxation policy does not further negatively impact an industry already heavily burdened by taxation," said Ernst and Young Industrial, Commercial and Technology Partner.
The report, "Contribution made by beer to the European economy", carried out on behalf of the Brewers of Europe discovered only Britain, Finland and Norway had higher excise duties than Ireland.
But in recent years production has dropped, with Ireland’s consumption going down to 8.846 million hectolitres last year compared to 9.377m hectolitres in 2006.
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