GPA Chief Farrell upbeat despite Dáil defeat

GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell was upbeat this morning despite a Dáil vote against his proposed amendment to the 2002 Finance Bill.

Farrell proposed that 'high performance amateur athletes' be given a €2,000 tax break each year in line with a current provision for professional Irish sports people.

The proposal was defeated by nine votes in the Dáil last night, but Farrell said: "To see such support from certain quarters of the Dáil was very impressive. There was a very lively debate and we received cross-party support.

"It's obviously disappointing that we were defeated, but we'll come back stronger on the issue next year. We were commended on our lobbying in particular."