Seán Power
Ceist:102 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Finance if he will give consideration to the legalisation of poitín making in Ireland. [20216/96]
Written Answers. - Legalisation of Poitín.
Under current fiscal legislation, it is possible to manufacture a spirit product provided the manufacturer is licensed to do so and the process is carried out under the control of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, however, that it is their policy to object to the use of the term "poitín" to describe a product distributed in the State. The reasons for this include the strong association in the public mind of the term "poitín" with illicitly distilled spirits and the confusion that the use of such term would give rise to as to the duty status of such spirits. Under these circumstances, the issue of legalising poitín making does not arise.