Publicans and punters have hit back at politicians’ proposals for a new health levy on drink that could drive the cost of an average pint towards €10.
The Oireachtas Justice Committee has prepared a report on the upcoming new alcohol Bills that will see late openings up to 6am among other provisions. The report will be officially launched next Thursday, but the Irish Mirror has seen a copy of it where the controversial new levy is proposed.
It states: “The committee recommends that consideration be given to the introduction of a levy on the alcohol industry to contribute towards the costs of alcohol-related harms to the State.” The committee is a consultative forum without specific legislative powers, so it will be up to Justice Minister, Helen McEntee, whether she takes their recommendations on board.
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However, Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) believes there is already enough taxes on booze. He said: “Pubs and hospitality are already extraordinarily taxed.
“As it stands the Government includes the highest excise taxes in Europe on alcohol, as well as a further 23% VAT. This is already too high a level of taxation, adding to inflation and damaging the hospitality sector in this country.”
Pint drinkers are aghast at the proposed hike too, with one Dublin pub punter last night saying: "Ah Jesus, as if the price of a pint wasn’t dear enough. This is ridiculous, we’re at the pin of our collar already, and, seriously, it will keep us at home drinking if the price goes up again, that’s not good for your mental health."
It comes after the news earlier this week that legislation that allows pubs to serve takeaway pints and provide outdoor drinking service has been extended for another six months. But this will be small comfort to the country’s punters who like a pint because it comes just a week after it emerged there will be no extension of opening hours until at least next summer.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has had to delay the introduction of later opening hours - as late as 6am - until the middle of next year because of legislative hurdles that need to be overcome. It was initially hoped that the fresh laws that would allow pubs and clubs to keep their doors open later would be in place by Christmas this year.
This has not been possible and the legislation is still being worked out to modernise the arcane drink laws, with the Minister admitting it will now be “next summer” at the earliest before the laws will be enacted. In the meantime, the Cabinet signed off on renewed legislation that will allow for drinking outdoors to continue within the law until May 31 next.
The extension is necessary because the labyrinthian licensing laws - some going back to the Victorian age - do not technically allow for pubs or restaurants to serve alcohol to those outside their premises at street furniture. In order to facilitate better social distancing and safer gathering outdoors instead of indoors as the country emerged from Covid, the Government introduced the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 during the pandemic.
This removed the uncertainty that existed in the complicated drink laws at that time. It was a temporary measure that needed to be renewed every six months and this was done again this week at the Cabinet meeting.
Speaking to reporters in Galway on Thursday, Ms McEntee said her legislation will be coming “hopefully next summer” or by “the middle of next year.” In reality, this means we won’t see proper late opening times on the ground logistically for almost a year.
However, when the new laws do come in, it will see staggered closing times for premises. These will allow some drinkers, like nightclubbers or shift workers, able to enjoy a dance or a drink until up to six in the morning before having to leave a bar or club.
The new reforming legislation will replace dozens of old Acts, some going back as far as the 1800s, with two new compact ones.
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