A PINT OF the black stuff is still by far the ‘preferred poison’ of politicians in Dáil Éireann, with Heineken and gin the next most popular options.
Smirnoff vodka was the fourth most popular alcohol, while Jameson was the fifth most popular.
Figures released to TheJournal.ie under a Freedom of Information request showed that between 1 January and 30 November, 6,996 pints of Guinness were sold, totalling to sales of €32,181.60.
Since the Dáil bar raked in a total of €114,201.80 in that same time frame, that means that Guinness sales accounted for over a quarter of their total sales.
A pint of Heineken was the second most popular drink: 3,092 pints were sold, amounting to sales of €15,460. The third most lucrative drink was Cork Dry Gin. Over 1,500 measurements were sold, equalling €7,355.50.
In case you’re wondering, a pint of Guinness costs €4.60, Heineken and other long neck bottles cost €5.20 and a measure of gin, rum, vodka or whiskey costs €4.70.
A glass of wine costs €5.80.
927 measurements of Smirnoff were sold in that timeframe, totalling €4,356.90, and 524 measurements of Hennessy were sold, equalling €2,986.80.
609 units of Jameson were sold, totalling €2,862.30.
The drinks that sold the least also make for interesting reading. One measurement each of Jagermeister, Irish coffee, Green Spot and creme de menthe were sold this year.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that outstanding Dáil bar and restaurant tabs would be wiped, as a report found that there was no way of retrieving the funds.
The Houses of the Oireachtas report revealed there are unpaid tabs at the Dáil bar and restaurant of up to €5,000, with some bills outstanding since 2000.
In response, Leo Varadkar said that politicians who have not paid their bill should have it deducted from their salary or pension.
“It is absolutely my view that members and former members pay their bills and I would encourage the Oireachtas Commission to look at mechanisms of deducting that money from people’s salaries or pensions,” he said at the time.
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