Fitzgerald and Bruton clashed on lottery funds

Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald was at odds with his finance minister over how proceeds from the soon-to-be launched National Lottery should be distributed, cabinet papers from 1986 show.

John Bruton, the finance minister, outlined his vision that 50%-60% of the new lottery’s proceeds go to sports with 20%-30% for the arts sector and 10% for health.

It was estimated that the Government would have £10m of lottery funds to distribute to worthy causes the following year after the planned launch in March 1987. However, the taoiseach said he believed that arts and culture should receive an equal share with sport.