Croke Park set to put case for players

Tax relief: The GAA will be raising the issue of tax relief for intercounty players in coming talks with the Government. According to association president Seán Kelly, the hope is that a committee might be established to look into the idea.

This idea was broached recently by the players' union, the GPA, but has been current for about two years since the previous Government announced in the Finance Bill of 2002 that professional sports people would be eligible for tax relief on earnings.

Then-president Seán McCague criticised the fact that Gaelic games players had been omitted from these provisions.

Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy replied indirectly that he might look at extending the scheme - were intercounty players to earn any income from their sport, which was and remains amateur.

Allowing footballers and hurlers tax breaks on their work-related income would discriminate between those with well-paid jobs and those in less lucrative occupations.

"That's one of the difficulties of tax relief based on their ordinary income," according to Kelly. "But at least if Government conceded the principle, that would be a help. We will be raising this when we meet shortly and should explore it. There are always options if you're prepared to look for them."

Kelly doesn't feel any such concession would be straying into the area of semi-professionalism even if, on the face of it, tax breaks would appear to be paying players for playing.

"They wouldn't be getting money for playing. It's like the endorsement money available to certain players. That's not in return for playing. We would see this as recognition for inter-county players."

Among the options would be a flat allowance of tax credits for all players considered eligible. Kelly even suggests the concessions could initially be for a smaller number of players. "Even if they started with the All Stars or agreed to explore the possibility we could discuss the rest," he says.

The imminent meeting between the GAA and the Minister for Sport will concern the matter of enhanced funding for the Croke Park redevelopment in the light of the money being invested in the Lansdowne Road upgrade, an expenditure seen by many within the GAA as a direct subvention to the FAI and IRFU.

"A lot of GAA people would see it that way. We've no issue with the proposed project at Lansdowne Road as long as we are given commensurate consideration. We've put our case strongly to the Minster for Sport and in fairness he's been very attentive."

The meeting is due within the next week or so. The Government are due to come back with a date.