Call for Olympic athletes to get tax breaks to train here

OLYMPIC athletes should be given tax breaks to train here ahead of next year’s London games, a committee has urged.

Such a scheme could see the tourist industry receive a timely boost, according to the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan is to be lobbied by the committee to bring in a tax break which would allow athletes to recoup tax paid in Ireland on items such as accommodation, food and drink and travel.