Vol. 569 No. 3
199 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the volume of spirits removed from bond here for the period 1 January 2003 to date versus the volume removed in the same periods of 2001 and 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17631/03]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the total quantity of spirits released for consumption on the Irish market. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the total volume of spirits released in the first five months of the year amounted to 2,310,547 litres of pure alcohol. This compares with 2,847,886 litres and 2,877,381 litres released in the corresponding period in 2002 and 2001 respectively. While these figures show a drop in volume in the order of -18.9% for 2003, a comparison for the periods November to May 2002-03, which takes account of the high level of pre-budget clearances, shows total volumes down by -4.9%.
