This could have a major effect on the country’s drinking habits.
According to Newstalk, the National Off-licence Association (NOffLA) is looking for the government to ban the below-cost sale of alcohol by supermarkets.
If the government agrees it will mean a sharp rise in how much consumers pay for alcohol in the country’s supermarkets.
Up to 80% of alcohol sales are controlled by ‘mixed traders’ – mainly supermarkets – in this country.
NOffLA claims that supermarkets can see tax increases of up to 68% and still keep their products affordable, but Off-licences can not afford such increases.
The Republic of Ireland has the highest excise on wine in the European Union and the third highest on beers and spirits. It is the most expensive country in the EU to buy alcohol, according to recent figures from Eurostat, at 175% of the EU average.
A survey by NOffLA shows that more than half of the country’s off-licences would struggle to remain open if tax on alcohol were to increase further this year.
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