Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before I make my contribution, I must declare an interest in the form of a family pub.

Deputy Naughten said that a lid tax could bring in €200 million. The Taoiseach drives through the towns of this country on his way up from Mayo on Sunday or Monday night and sees the pubs empty. There is no one in them. For a number of years, there was no tax increase on alcohol. In the past couple of budgets, there has been such an increase. I ask him to consider, perhaps during the finance Bill, having this measure reversed. The Minister, Deputy Noonan, made reference in his speech to the retention of the 9% VAT rate, which had been reduced from 13.5%, but most of the pubs that are really suffering do not serve food any more due to labour and overhead costs. There was a documentary on Irish pubs recently, although I did not see it. It is out in the cinemas. The pub plays an integral part in Irish life. Pubs are literally dying on their feet. The Taoiseach will know the situation better than I do. It is a kick in the teeth to an sector that is dying and that is losing jobs.

The Taoiseach is familiar with the needs of rural Ireland. It is not something that is unique to rural Ireland. It is the same with the pubs around suburban Dublin, most of which are empty if one goes out on a Tuesday or Wednesday night. It is merely one more nail in the coffin. I ask the Taoiseach to go back and examine the measure in view of the fact that a person who positions him- or herself outside any supermarket or multiple on a Friday evening or Saturday will see people coming out with boxes of beer and trays of alcohol, spirits and wines. It would serve a dual purpose if this burden were placed through a lid tax as opposed to an increase in excise.

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