asked the Minister for Finance if he will state for each of the years 1938, 1939, 1942, 1945, 1946 and 1947, the quantities consumed within the State of (a) beer; (b) spirits; (c) wines, and (d) tobacco.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Liquor and Tobacco Consumption.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the quantity of (a) spirits; (b) beer; (c) cider, and (d) wine consumed in the State during the calendar year 1947, and the total cost of each of these items.
I propose to take questions Nos. 30 and 31 together. The reply is in the form of a tabular statement and, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, will be circulated in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
|
1938 |
1939 |
1942 |
1945 |
1946 |
1947 |
|
|
(a) Beer (Standard Barrels) |
648,516 |
671,317 |
593,422 |
813,482 |
914,927 |
771,336 |
|
(b) Spirits (Proof Gallons) |
772,009 |
813,560 |
682,124 |
750,551 |
863,444 |
970,578 |
|
(c) Wines (Gallons) |
459,370 |
497,874 |
488,703 |
499,095 |
673,665 |
645,044 |
|
(d) Tobacco (lbs.) |
9,471,217 |
9,742,112 |
8,477,513 |
10,359,596 |
12,050,241 |
12,398,763 |
|
(e) Cider (Gallons) |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
455,024 |
As regards spirits, the word "consumed" has been interpreted as meaning potable spirits retained for home consumption.
The statistics given do not include the cost of these items.