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Young Fine Gael is concerned over new figures showing that Ireland is now the second most expensive country in the EU – with alchohol and hospitality prices among the highest in Europe and are renewing their call for longer, cheaper nights.
Young Fine Gael President Jamie Malone has said “It is no surprise that the hospitality industry in Ireland is struggling when we see the data from the last week about how prohibitively expensive it is for the average punter to enjoy a night out.”
“Government must act to reduce costs for punters, support the hospitality industry, and revitalise our nightlife.”
Recent Eurostat data, reported in the Irish Times, shows that alchohol prices in Ireland are the most expensive in Europe, while restaurant and hotel prices are second highest – 29% above the EU average.
Ireland now has some of the highest prices in Europe for a night out, with the cost of a pint more than double the EU average and around one-third of that going directly to the State in taxes.
Yfg President Jamie Malone added, “Measures like the reintroduction of the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector, abandoning minimum unit pricing, and reductions in excise duty are needed to address the spiralling costs in our night-time economy.”
“It’s also time that we bring Ireland’s licensing laws out of the dark ages and align with our European counterparts to allow pubs and clubs to open later. This would further support the sector’s trade but would also reinvigorate nightlife culture.”
Excessive taxation, combined with measures such as Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP), is driving up costs for consumers, harming small businesses and rural pubs, and undermining Ireland’s social and cultural life.
Young Fine Gael has consistently opposed MUP and strongly supports the retention of the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector as an essential step to help businesses survive and keep nights out affordable.
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