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This is how Irish alcohol taxes compare to the rest of the EU

A new report says that the cost of a pub pint would be 14% lower if Ireland’s beer excise was as low as the German rate.

IRELAND NOW HAS the second highest rate of alcohol excise taxes in the EU, according to a new report published today.

The research, which was commissioned by drinks industry group Support Your Local, shows that Irish excise taxes are the highest in the EU for wine, and the third highest for spirits and beer.

Some 15 countries – including Italy, Spain and Portugal – pay no tax on wine.

Ireland places a 10% higher excise on spirits than the UK, which has the fourth highest rate of excise.

The report says that applying Germany’s beer excise rate to Ireland would reduce the typical price of a pub pint by 14%, or 60 cent.

Our excise tax on beer is 11.4 times the German rate and 4.9 times the Belgian rate.

eu International Comparisons of Irish Alcohol Excise Taxation in EU International Comparisons of Irish Alcohol Excise Taxation in EU

DCU economist Tony Foley, the author of the report, said that the findings show Ireland has high alcohol taxes when compared to the other 27 EU economies.

Finland is the only country that pays more excise than Ireland on alcohol in the EU, while Sweden coming in just behind Ireland with the third highest rate.

Bart Storan, Support Your Local campaign manager, said that Irish excise rates are ”bad for businesses, bad for consumers and bad for tourists.”

Read: Drinking wine in Ireland is expensive. Really, really expensive >

Read: Have you had alcohol delivered to your home? You may have broken the law >

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52 Comments
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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:04 AM

    Best way to dispose of a Christmas tree is to bring it out your back garden and launch it in your neighbours garden, then act like you know nothing about it if they say anything, this is also a green eco friendly way too as you don’t need to drive anywhere in your car …. Your welcome

    424
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    Mute Fergal O'Hagan
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:20 AM

    @Gordon Hughes: *YOU’RE

    85
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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:16 AM

    @Fergal O’Hagan: you’re boring…. See I learn quickly

    141
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    Mute Fergal O'Hagan
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:50 AM

    @Gordon Hughes: you are welcome!

    15
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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 4:50 PM

    @Fergal O’Hagan: you are still drab.. I’m flying now

    12
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    Mute Sean Ryan
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:29 AM

    My local secondary school offers collection and disposal for €10. The boys collect it and the profit goes towards the school football club.

    158
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    Mute Jane Alford
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:31 AM

    @Sean Ryan: Best to let it completely dry out first…

    6
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    Mute Vladimir Macro
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:37 AM

    @Sean Ryan: scandalous

    6
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    Mute Wheresmyjumper
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:17 AM

    I’m throwing mine over the back wall and letting nature take care of it, it’s a tree i reckon driving it to the council drop off would have more of a negative impact on the environment

    98
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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:21 AM

    @Wheresmyjumper: I said that already

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    Mute Tim McCormack29
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    Jan 5th 2020, 8:06 AM

    I am going cut it up and burn it in my stove..

    231
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    Mute dublindamo
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:32 AM

    @Tim McCormack29: didn’t think this type of green tree was good for a stove

    38
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    Mute Gussy Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:03 AM

    @dublindamo: Ah damo, it’s only once a year. Everything in moderation!

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    Mute Whoswho
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    Jan 5th 2020, 3:26 PM

    @Gussy Hughes: Who answers all these polls? Get a life!

    1
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    Mute Brendan Doherty
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:08 AM

    Mine is recycled in the attic ready for next year no harm to the environment at all

    51
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    Mute Marie Louise Ryan
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:43 AM

    @Brendan Doherty: only its made of plastic

    25
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    Mute Chris lynch
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:47 AM

    @Marie Louise Ryan: a plastic one is environmentally neutral if you keep it for about 10 years. Wasn’t there an article here about that recently?

    56
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    Mute Colm Curran
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:52 AM

    I’ll treecycle mine I’ll get my coat

    40
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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:40 AM

    My Goats are loving it they will be munching for days

    33
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    Mute Aonghus OReilly
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:47 AM

    @Shane Freeney: You said goatmunching.

    13
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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:29 AM

    Trees melt away after they are felled if left alone , just throw it at the back of the ditch.

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    Mute Liam Mc Meel
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    Jan 5th 2020, 8:07 AM

    No

    20
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    Mute Misty Eyed Mutton
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    Jan 5th 2020, 4:09 PM

    One of my footmen is towing the 60 footer as I type.

    14
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    Mute Datalore
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Bound mine in a few black refuse sacks and brought it to Corkagh Park. Looks like a body bag

    5
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    Mute Anthony Mc Donald
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    Jan 5th 2020, 3:50 PM

    I don’t buy fresh Xmas trees have my personal reasons as in environmentally

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    Mute Morning Gus
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:15 PM

    Why do you want to know this?

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    Mute Garykelly
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:25 PM

    Yeah we heard you the first time chief

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    Mute Rory M
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:56 AM

    There is lots of drop of points for old real xmas trees and its usually designated to the corner of a field The Council , corporation , fingal etc all are involved and the shredded trees get re used in the gardening sector , so it makes sense to look up your local authority NO MATTER whether your on Southside, Northside or any part of dublin .
    USE AND RECYCLE

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    Mute Datalore
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Bound mine in a few black refuse sacks and brought it to Corkagh Park. Looks like a body bag

    1
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    Mute Datalore
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Bound mine in a few black refuse sacks and brought it to Corkagh Park

    1
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    Mute Morning Gus
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:07 PM

    @Datalore: Come again!!!

    6
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