Budget 2022: Equalising GAA payments a move beyond lip service

The latest Budget included a provision of €6.4m to bid for major events — an interesting development given the furore over the America’s Cup bid a few weeks back

The move to equalise GAA payments, with both male and female players receiving €1,200, was formalised by the Budget (those grants will be distributed by the Gaelic Players Association). Picture: INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon

Many thanks to Elaine Loughlin of this parish, who earlier in the week recalled Budgets of yore, including the 1980 version which imposed a 5% tax on golf balls.

It tells you a lot about Ireland in 1980 that this looks in retrospect like one of the least subtle luxury taxes ever suggested. If something similar were proposed now the response would be interesting, given how popular golf has become in recent decades.