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Irish excise on alcohol second highest in Europe - study
Ireland🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive2 days ago

Irish excise on alcohol second highest in Europe - study

According to research conducted by Dublin City University economist Anthony Foley and commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), Ireland ranks second in Europe for excise duties on alcohol, trailing only Finland. The study reveals that excise taxes on wine in Ireland are the second-highest in the EU and UK, while those on beer and spirits rank third, behind Finland and Sweden. For example, a pint of beer in Ireland incurs an excise duty of €0.55, significantly higher than €0.05 in Spain and Germany. Similarly, a 70cl bottle of whiskey faces an excise duty of €11.92 in Ireland, compared to €2.69 in Spain and €3.65 in Germany. In contrast, 14 European countries impose no excise on wine, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and Greece, while France applies a minimal charge of €0.01 per standard glass. DIGI is advocating for a 10% reduction in excise duties in the upcoming Budget to support the sustainability of Irish pubs, which they argue are being taxed out of existence.

Consumers in Ireland face the second-highest excise duty on alcohol in Europe, according to new research conducted by Dublin City University economist Anthony Foley and commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI). The findings reveal that excise on wine in Ireland ranks second highest in both the European Union and the United Kingdom, while excise on beer and spirits is the third highest in Europe. A pint of beer bought in a pub in Ireland includes an excise duty of €0.55, significantly higher than the €0.05 charged in Spain and Germany. Similarly, a 70cl bottle of whiskey incurs an excise duty of €11.92 in Ireland, far exceeding the €2.69 in Spain and €3.65 in Germany. The research highlights the substantial financial burden placed on consumers through excise duties. For instance, a standard 75cl bottle of wine purchased in an off-licence costs €11, of which €3.19 goes toward excise duty. When combined with value-added tax (VAT) of €2.06, nearly 48% of the purchase price, amounting to €5.25, is paid directly to the government. In contrast, 14 European countries impose no excise duty on wine, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and Greece. France applies a minimal excise of €0.01 per standard glass of wine. According to the report, the excise tax on a €8.50 glass of wine in a bar or restaurant includes €0.80 in excise duty and €1.59 in VAT, totaling €2.39, which represents approximately 28% of the overall price. This is notably higher than the rates observed in many other European nations. The study aims to provide an objective comparison of Ireland’s excise rates against those of other European countries, emphasizing that Ireland’s alcohol excise tax is exceptionally high relative to the majority of its neighbors. DIGI argues that the high excise rates are contributing to the closure of numerous pubs across Ireland. The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland reported that 2,200 pubs have shut down since 2005, attributing this decline partly to the financial strain imposed by high taxes. DIGI calls for a 10% reduction in excise duties in the upcoming budget to enhance the sustainability of the pub industry and ensure its continued role in local communities. DIGI secretary Donall O’Keeffe stated that the government must recognize the detrimental effects of high excise taxes on pubs, which are increasingly becoming unaffordable for both residents and visitors. Despite these claims, Alcohol Action Ireland has criticized DIGI’s stance, labeling it a self-serving argument aimed at reducing excise rates for profit maximization rather than public health concerns. Instead, Alcohol Action Ireland advocates for increasing excise duties by at least 15%, arguing that such measures serve a dual purpose: generating revenue for the state and helping cover the costs associated with alcohol-related harm. The organization urges the government to adopt a public health-focused approach to alcohol taxation, emphasizing the importance of addressing broader societal impacts beyond mere economic considerations.

2 reports

RTÉ News logoRTÉ NewsState / PublicCenterFactual 90Objective 853 days ago
Irish excise on alcohol second highest in Europe - study

According to research conducted by Dublin City University economist Anthony Foley and commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), Ireland ranks second in Europe for excise duties on alcohol, trailing only Finland. The study reveals that excise taxes on wine in Ireland are the second-highest in the EU and UK, while those on beer and spirits rank third, behind Finland and Sweden. For example, a pint of beer in Ireland incurs an excise duty of €0.55, significantly higher than €0.05 in Spain and Germany. Similarly, a 70cl bottle of whiskey faces an excise duty of €11.92 in Ireland, compared to €2.69 in Spain and €3.65 in Germany. In contrast, 14 European countries impose no excise on wine, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and Greece, while France applies a minimal charge of €0.01 per standard glass. DIGI is advocating for a 10% reduction in excise duties in the upcoming Budget to support the sustainability of Irish pubs, which they argue are being taxed out of existence.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data on excise duties without overtly favoring one side. It includes perspectives from both the research commissioning body (DIGI) and the findings of the study, providing a balanced view of the issue without biased language or selective sourcing.

Why factuality (90): The RTÉ News article corroborates the findings from the DIGI report, providing consistent data on excise duties in Ireland compared to other European countries. It references the same economist and includes additional context about France and other countries, reinforcing the cross-source consensus o

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting the research findings without overtly expressing personal opinion or bias. It includes both the findings and the broader context without introducing significant subjective commentary, contributing to higher objectivity.

TheJournal.ie logoTheJournal.ieIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 702 days ago
Tax on Irish pints and wine is the second highest in Europe

New research commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) reveals that Ireland imposes the second-highest excise duties on alcohol in the European Union and United Kingdom. This includes a 55-cent excise on a pint of beer, significantly higher than in countries like Spain and Germany. Excise taxes on wine and spirits are also among the highest in Europe, contributing substantially to the overall purchase price. DIGI argues that these high taxes are harming the pub industry, citing a decline in the number of pubs nationwide. The report calls for a 10% reduction in excise duties to improve the financial viability of pubs. However, Alcohol Action Ireland has criticized the study as self-serving, suggesting it aims to lower excise rates rather than provide objective analysis.

Bias read (Progressive): The article presents data showing high excise taxes on alcohol in Ireland and highlights concerns raised by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), which advocates for reduced taxes to support the pub industry. While the research is described as objective, the framing emphasizes the negative后果对

Why factuality (85): The article cites a report by DIGI and DCU economist Anthony Foley, aligning with the cross-source consensus that Ireland has high excise duties on alcohol. It provides specific figures comparing Ireland to Spain and Germany, which are consistent with the RTÉ News article. However, it mentions that

Why objectivity (70): The article presents the findings of the DIGI report but includes a critical label from Alcohol Action Ireland, which may introduce bias. While it reports the statistics neutrally, the inclusion of the criticism suggests a potential leaning towards questioning the report's motives, affecting objecti

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