THE negotiations between the IRFU and the 33-man international squad's representatives have run into difficulties because of what the union deems unreasonable demands by the home-based players.

The players are holding out for other benefits in addition to an increased offer of £30,000 for basic squad membership. In addition, each member will be given a car, plus £3,000 per match for each senior appearance, and a £1,000 match win bonus. The original basic offer was £25,000 for squad membership.

The players are, I gather, happy enough with most elements in relation to the money, but not with some aspects of the contract.

The Ireland manager, Pat Whelan, who is not involved in the negotiations, confirmed yesterday that "there are some difficulties. I want to see this issue cleared up as quickly as possible and resolved, but beyond that I do not wish to make any comment."

The Ireland captain, Niall Hogan, one of the three-man players' negotiating team, said yesterday: "While the negotiations are still confidential it is true that some aspects remain unresolved. We are happy enough with most aspects in relation to the money available but there are other issues which we consider to be of great importance.

"We want some of the clauses in the contracts reviewed and changes made to some that obtained last season. Things have changed appreciably since then. The position now is that it could mean some players giving up their ordinary jobs to meet the increased demands."

Among the matters at issue are the arrangements when players are dropped or dismissed from the squad, the reasons for such dismissal and the question of payment when players are injured. Some players feel that with the demands now on them they might be forced to give up their jobs, and consequently they want security.

But the IRFU believe the contracts are fair and are, in effect, an act of faith in the players. Certainly when one bears in mind some of the performances in recent times, it would he hard to justify the sum they are now being offered.

I gather that the IRFU feel they have gone as far as anyone can reasonably expect. They have also agreed, I gather, that if a player is injured, they are prepared to pay him for four weeks subsequent to the injury. If after that period he is unable to take his place in the squad, then he should be insured himself against such an eventuality.

That is one of the reasons the basic money was increased from £25,000 to £30,000. Their view is that any player can cover himself adequately against injury in that instance for less than £1,000.

The problems are basically centred on the home-based players, as I understand the squad members with English clubs are now satisfied with the offer made to them by the IRFU, although a few of the issues do overlap. The England-based players will not get a basic sum, but will get around £800 for attending each squad session and, of course, the match appearance fees and win bonus.

The IRFU has also agreed to put all the home squad members into what is termed category one. Originally the basic sum of £25,000, now £30,000, was not applicable to all members of the squad and would have been somewhat lower for a few of the younger and uncapped members.

I understand that the five under-21 players, who were named in addition to the 33-man squad although not members of the squad, will be given around £10,000 to £12,000 each for their attendance at squad sessions.

Under the new structure, players can earn over £60,000 in a season, and that, even by today's standards, is very big money. The basic squad fee and car are worth £35,000. There are six internationals, and probably seven, which means another £18,000 to £21,000. There is the added incentive of £1,000 per match win bonus and players can earn additional money by promotional activities.

One player's comment to me yesterday was, "but we have to pay tax on it." Yes indeed, but do we all not have to pay tax and very few have the capacity to earn £60,000 per annum, certainly riot in their twenties. For some it is a case of the more we are offered the more we will seek.

The players are being given a very generous deal. The professional era imposes its responsibilities as well as providing its lucrative rewards.