Sir, –Earlier in the year, it came as a hilarious surprise when I entered the supermarket and saw the naughty corner, fenced off, where the alcohol is sold. I, like many people, enjoy a glass of wine, or a bottle of beer now and then. Not only are such pleasures now more expensive than before, but I read in your letters pages a call for further price increases on alcohol (Letters, March 4th).
There is no “cheap drink” in Ireland. At present, Ireland has the highest excise duty on wine, the second-highest (behind Finland) on beer and the third-highest tax on spirits in the EU.
The great majority of Irish people have a healthy relationship with drink, and the few who persist in abusing it will not be put off by price increases or swing-door barriers in shops. – Yours, etc,
AARON DORAN,
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Kilbride,
Co Wicklow.