O'Donoghue-GPA row over inter-county players' tax breaks

THERE was disagreement last night between Sport and Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue and GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell on the issue of tax breaks for GAA players.

Mr O'Donoghue has claimed he was not approached by the GPA before their recent submission to Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy on the tax break for elite sports people, which excluded inter-county GAA players.

"Obviously any question of taxation change is something the Minister for Finance will have to consider within the context of the Budget and the Finance Bill," said Mr O'Donoghue.