Calls for tax break for hurley makers

Hurley making is part of Ireland's social, economic and sporting life. But now, serious concern is being expressed about the survival of the craft because of the devastating impact of ash dieback.

It has previously been claimed that more than 80% of the planks used to make hurleys have been imported into the country, mostly from the UK, Croatia, Slovakia, Denmark, Sweden and Ukraine.

There are currently no plans to introduce tax exemptions for hurley makers, following the devastating impact of dieback disease on ash plantations, but the matter will be kept under review, Finance Minister Michael McGrath told the Dail.

He was replying to Cork East Labour Party TD Seán Sherlock who asked if he would devise a similar scheme to that introduced for uilleann pipe makers.