During the Budget 2025 deliberations, cabinet members couldn’t agree on the cost of a pint, reports the Irish Independent.
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke proposed to reduce the duty on pints by 5c, but Health Minister Stephen Donnelly advocated for a 20c increase.
Additionally, Mr. Donnelly requested 75c for bottles of wine and sparkling wine, 20c for spirits, and 20c for a pint of cider, reports the Irish Independent.
While Mr. Burke requested tax cuts to benefit struggling taverns, he claimed that the planned increases in alcohol taxes alone would generate more than €281 million.
Mr. Donnelly claimed that alcohol had “major public health implications” and was responsible for “a considerable burden of health, social, and economic harm at individual, family levels” in a letter to Finance Minister Jack Chambers in August that was acquired under the Freedom of Information Act, reports Independent.
According to him, 2023 alcohol consumption levels were “much above” the Public Health Act’s goals.
Increasing the excise on alcohol products is “accepted internationally as one of the most effective policy measures to reduce overall consumption and thus reduce the harm caused by alcohol in society,” according to the Wicklow TD, who lost his seat in the general election.
“An increase in excise taxes is therefore likely to lead to a reduction in alcohol consumption,” he said. “This will reduce costs to the health service, the criminal justice system and an array of others such as child protection services,” reports Independent.
To encourage individuals “to drink in a controlled environment,” Mr. Burke advocated lowering the tax on pints sold only in bars.
He wanted the 60c tariff on a pint of stout to be reduced to 55c, which would have cost €21 million.
The pub industry has “faced significant challenges in recent years,” according to the report from Mr. Burke’s department, reports Independent.
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