Reducing the price of a pint by 5c would cost the government €41 million.

This month, alcohol awareness advocates called for the government to leave excise duty alone, warning that any reduction in the upcoming Budget would result in increased consumption and add to the country’s problems with alcohol. CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, Suzanne Costello, said cutting the duty would make “no sense for the physical, mental or financial health of the nation”. Last year, when there was an increase in excise duty on all alcohol products, consumption fell by 9.5% and excise receipts increased by almost €150 million....