Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has considered a levy on the purchase of slabs of drink from off-sales outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36031/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, a National Substance Misuse Strategy was established in 2009. Its report in 2012 made recommendations in relation to the development of policy to deal with a wide range of key issues relating to the supply, pricing, availability and marketing of alcohol – including the question of a minimum price for alcohol - along with measures for the policy areas of prevention strategies, treatment, rehabilitation and substance dependency, research and information. Those issues are being dealt with by the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Ms Roisin Shortall. The Deputy may be aware that Ireland's alcohol tax levels are already high in relation to other EU Member States. At July 2012, we had the highest excise duty within the EU 27 for sparkling wine, the third-highest for still wine and spirits and the fourth-highest for beer.