asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (a) the quantities of beer, spirits, cider and foreign wines retained for home consumption in the calendar year 1939, excluding methylation; (b) the number of liquor licences issued in Éire during the year ended 31st March, 1939; (c) the number of clubs in Éire in the year ended 31st March, 1939; and (d) the amount of duty paid by clubs on intoxicating liquor during the year ended 31st March, 1939.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alcohol Consumption Statistics.
As the answer in this case includes a number of figures I propose, with the Deputy's permission, to circulate it with the Official Report.
The information required is as follows:—(a) the quantities of beer, spirits, cider and foreign wines retained for home consumption in the calendar year 1939, excluding spirits for methylation, were:—beer, 671,317 standard barrels; spirits, 699,527 proof gallons and 299 liquid gallons; cider, 24,667 gallons; foreign wines, 497,874 gallons. It should be noted that the figures shown for spirits include 14,720 proof gallons and 284 liquid gallons in respect of spirits contained in recognised medicinal preparations, perfumed spirits and spirits delivered for arts and manufactures, etc. The figure shown for cider relates to imported cider only. As excise duty is not chargeable on home-made cider no particulars are available in regard to the quantity of home-made cider retained for home consumption. (b) The number of liquor licences issued in Éire during the year ended 31st March, 1939, was 15,826. (c) The number of registered clubs in Éire in respect of which "club duty" was paid in the year ended 31st March, 1939, was 250. (d) The amount of "club duty" paid by registered clubs during the year ended 31st March, 1939, was £2,330 16s. 7d.