Irish tourism should not be used as a smokescreen for a campaign by the drinks industry for cheaper alcohol.
That was the view of Alcohol Action Ireland as the drinks and hospitality industry met key tourism stakeholders yesterday at a roundtable discussion in Dublin.
Among the topics discussed were Irish whiskey tourism, the Wild Atlantic Way, and the need for a reduction in alcohol excise tax.
However, Alcohol Action Ireland chief executive Suzanne Costello said tourism was being placed at the centre of the alcohol industry’s campaign for cheaper drink in an attempt to mask the damaging impact an excise duty cut would have on national health and wellbeing.
“The success of Irish tourism is effectively being used as a smokescreen by the alcohol industry which is trying to force through an excise duty cut on the grounds that it is key to our tourism offering and our economy,” Ms Costello said.
“The reality is that this campaign is about selling alcohol and the cheaper it is, the more of it will be sold, with hugely damaging consequences for health and wellbeing in Ireland.”
Source: Conall Ó Fátharta, Irish Examiner, 26/08/15
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