Irish licensees want tax freeze on beer
Licensees in Ireland have pleaded for a tax freeze on alcohol in the up coming Budget, claiming that 1,500 pubs have closed since 2001.
1,500 pubs have closed since 2001
The Licensed Vintners Association and the Vintners' Federation of Ireland said thousands of jobs have already been lost and any tax hike would increase that level.
The two trade bodies said that the number of accounts held by drinks producers to supply pubs has dropped from 11,000 to 9,500 since 2001.
They blame the smoking ban, cheap off-trade alcohol and the fact that alcohol in Ireland is so heavily taxed.
"This industry is facing major challenges and it will struggle, in particular, if the current high level of alcohol tax is increased again in the forthcoming Budget," the bodies said in a statement.
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