Sir, - Brendan O'Donoghue wrote to complain (May 25th) about the exorbitant prices of soft drinks in pubs. Non-alcoholic beverages are not subject to excise duty and he protests, quite rightly, about being charged £1.35 for a 220ml soft drink in Kildare. Sadly, this would be considered cheap in Dublin where the standard price seems to be £1.60, though I recently paid £1.80!
This is both a rip-off and a disgrace on the part of the Vintner's Federation of Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
Alison Moore, Leopardstown Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin.