Local Publican calls on government to leave Vintners alone in Budget

A well known Kilkenny Publican is calling on the government to leave their sector alone in next week’s Budget.

Gerry Rafter is a former president of the Vintners Federation of Ireland and feels they are a soft target for tax increases by the coalition.

Speculation this week has suggested that the price of a pint may rise by as much as 10 cents due to an increase in excise duty.

Mr Rafter added that the off trade are supplementing the increases of excise by selling drinks as loss leaders and the government need to look at tax increases separately for both on and off trade sectors.