The combination of the VAT rise and the increases in the price of a pint is a double whammy. For Diageo to introduce this new increase during the summer tourism season is just ridiculous." Pub boss Padraig Hennessy, of Clancy's Bar in Youghal, Co Cork, said: "Diageo is a huge drinks company, so any price increase is going to have an impact right across the board." The 4c increase, which publicans claimed meant a 10c rise at the taps, followed a 12c hike in February. The 16c swing means the national average price for a pint of stout is now over €5.50 and lager is nearly €6. The CSO published the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) last week to reveal that pint prices have soared in the past year. Data showed that the national average price of a pint of stout in licensed premises went up by 38c in the year to €5.52 compared with July 2022. A pint of lager went up 42c over the same period to €5.98.