Rising pub and hotel drink prices were criticised by the Minister for Consumer Affairs today who called for a voluntary price freeze for the remainder of this year.
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The Minister for Consumer Affairs
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Mr Tom Kitt said prices, particularly in the Dublin region, needed to be stabilised. He said he was as concerned at the rise of prices of soft drinks as those for alcohol.
The reintroduction of last July’s Prices Order was not an option, he added, calling instead on the trade to voluntarily impose a price freeze.
"Such action, on a voluntary basis, will impact positively on our inflationary situation," the Minister said.
The price of alcoholic drinks in public houses, hotels and off licenses rose to an average percentage change of 5.6 per cent in April, according to last week’s Consumer Prices Index figures.
This figure is up from 4.9 per cent in March, and represents an addition of 0.73 per cent to the overall annual consumer price increase of 5.6 per cent.
