News: The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) has called on GAA president Seán Kelly to engage with them on efforts to introduce some sort of tax break for senior intercounty players.

Dessie Farrell, the chief executive of the GPA, yesterday welcomed Kelly's recent support for the venture, but called for the two-pronged approach rather than the two isolated efforts.

"I've spoken with Seán Kelly on this matter before," said Farrell. "And I'd still like to think we could sit down together on this. So I welcome his recent comments as very significant, and I'd be hopeful the GAA would engage with the GPA on this one. But the GAA's acknowledgement of the professional demands placed upon our players and their sporting, cultural and economic contribution to Irish society is consistent with GPA opinion, and will add further weight to our campaign."

The GPA are due to meet with officials from the Department of Sport as they widen their efforts to bring county GAA players into the Government's tax credit loop, motivated by the 2002 Finance Bill which allows those in professional sports to reclaim tax on a certain amount of their earnings. One of the options they are pursuing is the introduction of an annual GAA players' grant under the existing high-performance athlete carding scheme, run by the Irish Sports Council.

During last week's All Star tour of Hong Kong, Kelly announced his intention to set up a special committee to devise some sort of tax proposal. Farrell is confident with GAA backing their hand would be considerably strengthened.

"In conjunction with our team of political and taxation experts, the GPA remains committed to working with all relevant Government officials to secure state funding for this unique proposal. The full support of the GAA is welcome, timely, and demonstrative that the GPA's proposed co-operative policy between the association and the GAA holds merit for the playing and governing bodies alike."

The GPA's last proposal for the provision of tax incentives for county players failed after a Dáil debate on the matter before the 2004 Finance Bill. With the appointment of Brian Cowen as Minister for Finance, the GPA escalated their efforts.

"Communication with the Minister and his office on the initiative is still at a very sensitive stage but has been both formal and productive," added Farrell.