Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Wednesday) called for the issue of below cost selling on alcohol to be addressed as a matter of priority, as it is harming the hospitality industry and encouraging more people to drink in the home.

“The issue of below cost selling is becoming more and more damaging to the hospitality industry as restaurants and pubs are experiencing a significant shift of customers away from their doors. With supermarkets being able to buy in bulk, they can offer significant reductions on beer and wine which people are purchasing and drinking in their homes.

“Two worrying aspects of this for me are that, not only are pubs and restaurants unable to keep up with below cost retailers due to the increased excise tax introduced last year, but the rise in alcohol consumption in the home is cause for concern from a health point of view.

“I am concerned for the future of small struggling retailers who will simply not be able to keep up with this unfair competition between them and the supermarkets and I am urging the Minister for Finance to consider introducing measures to make ban the below cost selling of alcohol to ensure a level playing field for those competing in this sector.”

ENDS