The Big Alcohol lobby in Ireland is pushing the government for a tax break to safeguard their private profit interest. Public health experts and community activists have spoken up against this proposal.
The two pub groups of the “Licensed Vintners Association” and “Vintners Federation of Ireland” as well as “Drinks Industry Ireland” have joined to push for a dramatic cut in VAT charged on pub beverage sales from 23% to 9%. But Alcohol Action Ireland responded by outlining that reducing the cost of alcohol amidst the existing heavy alcohol burden and the ongoing pandemic would be irresponsible…