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Responsible drinkers face being hit in the pocket for more than €500 a year under new alcohol legislation working its way through the Oireachtas.

Changes contained in the Public Alcohol Bill propose introducing minimum unit pricing of €1 for all booze sold in Irish shops.

But while the measure is aimed at tackling binge drinking, it will hit ordinary punters who might buy a dozen beers or a bottle of wine in a week.

Someone who buys a 12-pack of a popular beer like Budweiser, Heineken or Carlsberg from a supermarket for €10 every week will see the cost of their weekly tipple jump to €20.36 after the introduction of MUP.

(Image: Rui Vieira/PA Wire)

This will add up to €538 extra in a single year.

Cider drinkers are going to be hit even harder because of the slightly higher alcohol content – for example 4.5% for Bulmers compared 4.3% for the beers mentioned above.

Bulmers drinkers will be out of pocket by an extra €587.60 over a year if they purchase one 12-pack a week.

Wine lovers are also in line for major increases.

Someone who opts for a bottle of Revero Vino Blanco will pay €6.51 instead of €3.99 – an increase of 63% or €131.04 a year.

A red wine like Vineyards Australian Shiraz will see a similar hike of 60%, meaning each bottle will cost €3 more amounting to €156 a year.

Other provisions of the alcohol bill include mandatory health warnings on all cans and bottles and the segregation of alcohol in shops with so-called booze curtains.