Parliament & Politics: Dublin raises tax on drink

SMOKERS and drinkers were targeted by the Irish finance minister, Bertie Ahern, in his Budget yesterday with tax increases on wine and spirits, cigarettes and petrol.

Duty on beer and spirits rises by 3p. A pint will cost about pounds 1.90 with spirits about pounds 1.54 a measure. Wine will cost 10p more and 20 cigarettes rise 8p to pounds 2.50. An unleaded gallon of petrol rises 6p to pounds 2.45.

The threshold for the 27 per cent income tax band rises pounds 1,000 to pounds 15,750 for married couples, after which the 48 per cent rate applies.