Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate Martin Hughes on being appointed as Clerk of Seanad Eireann and wish him well.

Ahead of budget 2026, I want to raise the challenges facing pubs across the country and the scheme that the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland has proposed that would go some way towards addressing those challenges. As Members will be aware, 2,000 pubs across the country have closed their doors in the past 20 years. Outside Dublin, the number of bars has fallen by 25% in that period. I am referring not just to the closures of small family businesses but also to a loss to communities, small towns and villages across the country, which have one less venue to come together in to host events.

I have spoken to publicans across the country this year and they have told me the trend is going to accelerate in the years ahead. Insurance costs have gone through the roof and energy costs have rocketed along with payroll costs and commercial rates, so small pubs are simply not sustainable. The Government must address this as part of budget 2026. The VFI has proposed a draft rebate scheme. The scheme, with a rebate cap of a maximum of €20,000 per pub, would return 40% of the excise duty on draft beer, at an annual cost of €73 million. As the VFI has shown, the majority of funds would flow directly to the smaller traditional pubs that form the backbone of community life across rural Ireland.

Members will recall that I previously offered the example of France, where so many rural bars closed that the French Government is now offering incentives to revive them, recognising their cultural and economic value. We do not want the trend to reach that stage in Ireland, but will do so in the absence of action. Thousands of small family businesses across the country in the sector needs support and cannot wait any longer. Ireland has the second highest excise rate on alcohol in Europe, with taxes accounting for almost 30% of the price of a pint. It is clear these taxes are unsustainable. Not taking some measures to address them will lead to even more closures in the months and years ahead. I ask the Deputy Leader to raise the matter with the relevant Ministers.