Following the reductions in excise duty to be implemented in budget 2010, Ireland will still have the highest excise rates for sparkling wine in the EU, the second-highest excise rates for still wine after Finland, the third highest excise rates on spirits after Sweden and Finland, and the fourth highest excise rates on beer after Finland, the UK and Sweden. Consequently, for good health reasons, we continue to have high excise rates on alcohol products relative to most member states. It is considered that the reductions will not have much impact on the overall quantity of alcohol consumed in Ireland but they will impact upon where alcohol is purchased.

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