Latest news with #DonallO'Keefe
Belfast Telegraph
34 minutes ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Alcohol consumption by Irish adults falls by almost 5% in a year
The latest data has been described as consistent with a downward trend recorded over the last 25 years. A new report by economist Anthony Foley found the average alcohol consumption per adult fell by 4.5% last year to 9.49 litres of pure alcohol. This is a drop of more than one-third (34.3%) since 2001. Total consumption in Ireland fell by 2.4% last year to 41.5 million litres, which equates to an overall 4.5% drop in alcohol intake per person when last year's 2.3% increase in the population is taken into account. The report indicates that consumption tastes are also evolving. Beer was the Ireland's most popular alcohol last year, with its market share increasing by 0.4% to 43.3% despite an overall drop in beer consumption. Wine was the second-most popular drink, increasing its market share by 0.1% to 28.2% in 2024. Its popularity has increased significantly since 2000 (13.2%). Meanwhile, spirits fell by 0.4% to 22.3% and cider fell by 0.1% to 6.1%. The report was commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (Digi), which said the figures demonstrated that Irish people are increasingly drinking alcohol in moderation. It follows other recent data which suggests that alcohol consumption in Ireland is now at average European levels. OECD data for 2022 revealed that Irish consumption ranks behind countries including France, Spain and Austria, and a separate report by the Health Research Board last year also indicated that Ireland's alcohol consumption was at average levels by EU or OECD standards. Donall O'Keefe, the secretary of Digi and chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association, said the findings are reflective of a trend over the last 25 years. He has also called on Government to cut excise rates. 'Today's figures offer clear proof of what many of us already know – Irish people are increasingly drinking in a restrained manner, with consumption continuing the downward trajectory that has been recorded since the millennium,' he said. 'In contrast to the negative stereotypes that once existed, alcohol consumption in Ireland is now at average European levels, with the purchase of non-alcoholic drinks continuing to increase. 'This downward trend also raises the obvious question as to why Ireland continues to have the second-highest excise rates on alcohol in Europe. 'Given that we now consume alcohol at average European levels it makes sense that we should pay excise at average European levels also. 'This is particularly true following the introduction of minimum unit pricing which prevents the sale of strong alcohol at low prices in supermarkets and shops. 'Across Ireland, hundreds of small rural pubs and restaurants are struggling for survival due to repeated increases in the cost of doing businesses, including staff, energy and insurance. 'A cut in excise would offer these businesses an opportunity to continue acting as vital hubs in their communities, as well as a crucial part of our tourism product.' 'Digi will be seeking a 10% cut in excise in this year's budget as an urgent measure to give these businesses a fighting chance of survival.' The Digi report was compiled by Prof Foley, associate professor emeritus at Dublin City University, using data from the CSO population and migration estimates for April 2024 and the Revenue Commissioners' alcohol clearances data.
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Consumption of alcohol in Ireland drops by 4.5%
Alcohol consumption by Irish adults fell by 4.5% last year, continuing a downward trend recorded over the last 25 years, a new report shows. The report, commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), shows that average alcohol consumption per adult fell by 4.5% last year to 9.49 litres of pure alcohol. This is a drop of more than one third (34.3%) since 2001. DIGI said the figures demonstrated that Irish people are increasingly drinking alcohol in moderation. Beer remains Ireland's most popular drink with more than 43% of the market, with wine in second place at 28%. Meanwhile, consumption of spirits fell to 22% while cider consumption fell to 6%. The report follows other recent data which showed that alcohol consumption in Ireland is now at average European levels. OECD data for 2022 revealed that consumption in Ireland ranks behind France, Spain and Austria, amongst others. A separate report by the Health Research Board last year also indicated that Ireland's alcohol consumption was at average levels by EU or OECD standards. Secretary of DIGI and CEO of The Licensed Vintners Association, Donall O'Keefe, said: "Today's figures offer clear proof of what many of us already know - Irish people are increasingly drinking in a restrained manner, with consumption continuing the downward trajectory that has been recorded since the millennium. "In contrast to the negative stereotypes that once existed, alcohol consumption in Ireland is now at average European levels, with the purchase of non-alcoholic drinks continuing to increase. "This downward trend also raises the obvious question as to why Ireland continues to have the second highest excise rates on alcohol in Europe. Given that we now consume alcohol at average European levels it makes sense that we should pay excise at average European levels also," said Mr O'Keefe. He said "hundreds of small rural pubs and restaurants are struggling for survival due to repeated increases in the cost of doing business". He said that a cut in excise would "offer these businesses an opportunity to continue acting as vital hubs in their communities, as well as a crucial part of our tourism product". "DIGI will be seeking a 10% cut in excise in this year's Budget as an urgent measure to give [rural] businesses a fighting chance of survival," said Mr O'Keefe. The DIGI report was compiled by Anthony Foley, Associate Professor Emeritus at Dublin City University, using data from the CSO population and migration estimates for April 2024 and the Revenue Commissioners' alcohol clearances data.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Alcohol consumption by Irish adults falls by almost 5% in a year
The level of alcohol consumption by Irish adults has fallen by almost 5% in the last year. The latest data has been described as consistent with a downward trend recorded over the last 25 years. A new report by economist Anthony Foley found the average alcohol consumption per adult fell by 4.5% last year to 9.49 litres of pure alcohol. This is a drop of more than one-third (34.3%) since 2001. Total consumption in Ireland fell by 2.4% last year to 41.5 million litres, which equates to an overall 4.5% drop in alcohol intake per person when last year's 2.3% increase in the population is taken into account. The report indicates that consumption tastes are also evolving. Beer was the Ireland's most popular alcohol last year, with its market share increasing by 0.4% to 43.3% despite an overall drop in beer consumption. Wine was the second-most popular drink, increasing its market share by 0.1% to 28.2% in 2024. Its popularity has increased significantly since 2000 (13.2%). Meanwhile, spirits fell by 0.4% to 22.3% and cider fell by 0.1% to 6.1%. The report was commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (Digi), which said the figures demonstrated that Irish people are increasingly drinking alcohol in moderation. It follows other recent data which suggests that alcohol consumption in Ireland is now at average European levels. OECD data for 2022 revealed that Irish consumption ranks behind countries including France, Spain and Austria, and a separate report by the Health Research Board last year also indicated that Ireland's alcohol consumption was at average levels by EU or OECD standards. Donall O'Keefe, the secretary of Digi and chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association, said the findings are reflective of a trend over the last 25 years. He has also called on Government to cut excise rates. "Today's figures offer clear proof of what many of us already know - Irish people are increasingly drinking in a restrained manner, with consumption continuing the downward trajectory that has been recorded since the millennium," he said. "In contrast to the negative stereotypes that once existed, alcohol consumption in Ireland is now at average European levels, with the purchase of non-alcoholic drinks continuing to increase. "This downward trend also raises the obvious question as to why Ireland continues to have the second-highest excise rates on alcohol in Europe. "Given that we now consume alcohol at average European levels it makes sense that we should pay excise at average European levels also. "This is particularly true following the introduction of minimum unit pricing which prevents the sale of strong alcohol at low prices in supermarkets and shops. "Across Ireland, hundreds of small rural pubs and restaurants are struggling for survival due to repeated increases in the cost of doing businesses, including staff, energy and insurance. "A cut in excise would offer these businesses an opportunity to continue acting as vital hubs in their communities, as well as a crucial part of our tourism product." "Digi will be seeking a 10% cut in excise in this year's budget as an urgent measure to give these businesses a fighting chance of survival." The Digi report was compiled by Prof Foley, associate professor emeritus at Dublin City University, using data from the CSO population and migration estimates for April 2024 and the Revenue Commissioners' alcohol clearances data.
Irish Examiner
11 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Alcohol consumption falls again, dropping 4.5% last year
Alcohol consumption in Ireland fell sharply last year, dropping 4.5% according to a report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), which is demanding cuts to excise rates. The representative body said the data shows consumption of alcohol by Irish consumers was now on par with their European counterparts, but that excise rates remain the second-highest in Europe. The report by economist Anthony Foley shows the average adult consumed 9.5 litres of pure alcohol last year, a drop from 9.9 litres in 2023. All four beverage categories, beer, spirits, wine, and cider, experienced volume decreases in 2024. Ranked against a sample of 16 European countries, Ireland's average consumption was lower than nine countries and was higher than seven countries. 'Ireland is no longer an outlier in terms of high average levels of alcohol consumption as measured by the methodology used for that indicator,' the report notes. The report highlights the changing pattern of alcohol consumption. Secretary of DIGI and CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association, Donall O'Keefe said the report shows Irish people are increasingly drinking in a restrained manner, with consumption continuing the downward trajectory that has been recorded since the millennium. 'This downward trend also raises the obvious question as to why Ireland continues to have the second-highest excise rates on alcohol in Europe,' he said. 'Given that we now consume alcohol at average European levels it makes sense that we should pay excise at average European levels also. This is particularly true following the introduction of minimum unit pricing which prevents the sale of strong alcohol at low prices in supermarkets and shops. 'In contrast to the negative stereotypes that once existed, alcohol consumption in Ireland is now at average European levels, with the purchase of non-alcoholic drinks continuing to increase. 'Across Ireland, hundreds of small rural pubs and restaurants are struggling for survival due to repeated increases in the cost of doing business, including staff, energy and insurance. A cut in excise would offer these businesses an opportunity to continue acting as vital hubs in their communities, as well as a crucial part of our tourism product. 'DIGI will be seeking a 10% cut in excise in this year's budget as an urgent measure to give these businesses a fighting chance of survival,' Mr O'Keefe said. Last week, drinks giant Diageo said bar sales of non-alcoholic Guinness 0.0 grew 27% in the last year, with the non-alcoholic version set to take up 12% of total stout production at the Dublin brewery next year. The product has enjoyed a huge 161% increase in yearly volume on-trade sales between June 2022 and March 2025. Other breweries report similar increases in non-alcoholic versions of their beers. The change in drinking patterns is also borne out elsewhere. In March, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) said the volume of sales in bars had dropped 10% over the previous year. Vintners' Federation of Ireland chief executive Pat Crotty said the CSO figures support anecdotal evidence from publicans around the country that drink sales have fallen in the region of 9% over the past year. 'This comes on the back of rising costs, with the likes of rates, water charges, and labour costs all surging way ahead of inflation,' he said. 'Publicans are now facing a perfect storm of rising costs and falling turnover, which is not sustainable if the pub trade is to survive over the long term. 'It should be noted that most cost increases come from the Government, so we need to see meaningful supports that will make a difference to the average publican struggling to attract customers through the door.'
