The body representing the drinks and hospitality sector has called for a reduction in the excise duty on alcohol to mitigate against the potential impact of a no-deal Brexit.
Drinks Industry Group of Ireland has warned that Britain leaving the European Union without a deal could have a "recession-type" effect on the drinks and hospitality sector, particularly in rural Ireland.
DIGI said Boris Johnson, who is likely to become the next British Prime Minister later this week, has indicated the UK's EU withdrawal may take place on or before 31 October without a deal.
The group has warned this would have "disastrous ramifications" for drinks and hospitality businesses that depend on easy, tariff-free access to the UK market and a stable sterling.
DIGI has called for a 15% reduction in the excise tax on alcohol, spread across the next two budgets.
DIGI said that a recent survey of more than 500 members showed 57% of Irish pubs and a further 44% of Irish restaurants rely on the UK as their main tourism market.
CSO figures from May this year show that trips to Ireland by British travellers have declined by 4.5% year-on-year.
Rosemary Garth, Chair of DIGI and Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Irish Distillers, said "the Government must do everything in its power to reduce the grave harm that a no-deal Brexit would have on thousands of businesses and more than 100,000 jobs."
