FF votes down GAA player tax break

FIANNA FÁIL TDs last night voted down a proposal to grant tax breaks to amateur sports stars after lending their moral support to the move earlier in the day.

GAA players made a last ditch attempt to persuade Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy to introduce a tax concession for high performance amateur athletes.

Legislation introduced in 2002 allows professional sports people to claim back 40% of income tax but amateurs are excluded.