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Irish Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Basketball Ireland ‘assessing next steps' after women's team drawn in group with Israel
Basketball Ireland has said it is assessing its 'next steps' after being drawn in a qualifying group for the women's European basketball championships that includes the Israeli national team. The organisation said it was 'extremely alarmed by the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza ', and did not confirm that it would play the fixture as scheduled. It said it was 'awaiting clarifications on a number of matters' with Fiba Europe, the European basketball governing body. A spokesperson for Basketball Ireland declined to provide details to The Irish Times on what matters it had raised with Fiba Europe and what clarifications had been sought from the body. READ MORE Basketball Ireland said it 'will also be liaising with players, coaching staff, Sport Ireland, the Government, and other stakeholders over the coming days'. The organisation expects to provide an update on the situation next week. A spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport said Basketball Ireland was an independent body and was 'autonomous in their decision making, including regarding the organisation of and participation in international sporting competitions'. 'Neither the Minister nor the department has any role in this regard and there has been no communication recently on this matter between the department and Basketball Ireland,' a spokesperson said. The Irish women's squad is ranked 81st in the world, while the Israeli national team is 47th. The two teams are first scheduled to play each other on November 18th in Israel, the Irish squad's final fixture in the early stages of the qualifying round. Basketball Ireland would suffer a fine of up to €80,000 if the team failed to play the game after the qualifying competition started, the organisation said. 'Failure to play the return game would lead to a fine of up to €100,000' and removal from the next two European basketball championships, in 2027 and 2029, it added. 'Should Basketball Ireland elect to withdraw from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers campaign entirely before they commence, a fine of up to €30,000 would be applied', as well as 'additional sanctions' from FIBA Europe which could include 'exclusion from future competitions'. Basketball Ireland secured a core grant from Sporting Ireland last year of €900,000, with a €63,908 grant earmarked for 'women in sport'. Financial statements showed the organisation was working at a €188,000 deficit last year. The Irish team also expressed discomfort with fulfilling fixtures against the Israeli team last year. Basketball Ireland said it could not 'guarantee the safety of the Israeli team' playing a fixture in Dublin due to 'the likelihood of protests' over their presence in the State. [ From the archive: Basketball Ireland CEO on playing Israel game: 'I'm not prepared to destroy my sport for a gesture that will have no impact' Opens in new window ] Israeli team member Dor Saar said last year that 'it's known that they [Ireland] are quite anti-Semitic, it's not a secret', which Basketball Ireland strongly denied and condemned. The fixtures were played, although 'traditional prematch arrangements', such as players shaking hands and exchanging gifts, were not carried out. [ How did the Irish women's basketball team become embroiled in controversy over Israel? Opens in new window ] Israel won both the first game, which led to the terse exchange of words, and the return fixture, both taking place in Riga.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Government warned splitting VAT rate for hospitality could lead to underpayment and tax manipulation
The Government has been advised that splitting the VAT rate for food and accommodation within hospitality could lead to underpayment and manipulation of the tax. The coalition is expected to reduce hospitality VAT from 13.5% to 9% in Budget 2026, with ministers stating that this cut applies only to the food sector. The Tax Strategy Group (TSG) submitted papers presenting options for ministers ahead of the annual budget. The papers outline that cutting the VAT rate for the hospitality sector — including pubs, restaurants, hotels, and hairdressers — would cost €867m per year. This is lower than finance minister Paschal Donohoe's earlier estimate of €950m to €1bn per year. To specifically cut the rate for pubs and restaurants alone would cost €674.6m per year. While it is possible to split the VAT rate between restaurants and accommodation, the papers warn of 'practical operational concerns' around separate rates. They warn the risk of VAT underpayment increases 'because the charge for accommodation and meals would have to be apportioned.' 'This is likely to give rise to administrative and operational complexity as well as increased risk of avoidance and scope for manipulation of the VAT system,' they add. On income tax, the papers suggest that wage growth will be 4% in 2026. The Government has committed to indexing tax credits. This is lower than finance minister Paschal Donohoe's earlier estimate of €950m to €1bn per year. Picture: Stephen Collins /Collins Photos Indexing by 4% would result in an €80 increase in primary tax credits and a €1,760 increase in the Single Standard Rate Band in Budget 2026, bringing the 40% tax entry point to €45,760. This would cost €1.1bn in a full year. The total tax package for Budget 2026 is €1.5bn, with a significant proportion consumed by the hospitality VAT cut. The cost of indexing by 2% would be €560. The Programme for Government also committed to exploring a gym tax credit. However, the TSG recommended against introducing this, suggesting it would produce significant 'dead weight.' Sport Ireland estimated in 2023 that 1.47 million people were members of gyms or sports clubs (or both). It estimated that 13% of adults, or 546,000 people, had gym memberships. The TSG assumed 550,000 members with an average annual cost of €500, aiming to increase membership by 100,000 (20%). This would cost €55m for current members, rising to €65m per year when including new members. It stated that €55m of this cost is 'dead weight', as it benefits existing gym members who do not need an incentive to join. It added: 'Notwithstanding this lack of data on retention and usage rates, it might still be reasonable to consider that those primarily incentivised to take up a gym membership by the existence of a modest tax incentive, may not necessarily be the most consistent of users of gym facilities once they have joined.' Sport Ireland estimated in 2023 that 1.47 million people were members of gyms or sports clubs (or both). Consideration is also being given to increasing the Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax, applied to sugary drinks and mineral waters. The tax applies to all drinks with added sugar totalling 5g or more per 100ml. If there is more than 5g per 100ml, the tax adds around 6.6c per 330ml can. At over 8g per 100ml, the tax adds around 9.9c per 330ml can. The papers provide two options: Option 1: increase the lower rate by 2.2 c per 330 ml can, and the higher band by 3.3 c per can. increase the lower rate by 2.2 c per 330 ml can, and the higher band by 3.3 c per can. Option 2: introduce annual increases over five years, with the lower rate rising by 2.5 c per year and the upper rate by 5 c per year. It is estimated that by 2029, such a change would have raised €91m. Elsewhere, the papers indicate that the lower Universal Social Charge (USC) rate for medical cardholders is ending. There is currently a USC concession for medical cardholders with total income under €60,000 per annum, paying a maximum of 2% rather than 3%, resulting in savings of €326. Although a 2022 report found there was 'not a strong case' for maintaining the lower rate, it was extended as a cost-of-living measure. Consideration is also being given to increasing the Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax, applied to sugary drinks and mineral waters. The TSG stated that medical cardholders are 'no worse off than other income earners where income levels are equal', and having a medical card offers 'a benefit over and above that available to non-medical card holders in the form of the reduced rate of USC' in addition to free medical services. The Government's newly proposed e-cigarette tax would raise the cost of a disposable vape by €1, while doubling the price of a 10 ml refill cartridge from €5 to €10. The papers estimate that vape tax revenue would range from €46.5m to €149.9m per year, depending on market response and a potential ban on disposables. There will also be a review of the Rent Tax Credit before the budget. The report noted that 40,820 people who tried to claim the credit could not, as they paid no income tax. More than half of claimants have a gross income below €40,000, and did not receive the full credit because they had insufficient tax liability. In Social Welfare, the TSG stated that a €1 increase in weekly personal rates across all weekly-paid social protection schemes, with no dependent increases, would cost €72.2m. A €1 increase in weekly personal rates with adult dependent increases would cost €76.8m. If Child Benefit increased by €1, it would cost €15.3m. Read More Government may delay hospitality Vat cut to mid-2026 amid budget tradeoffs
Irish Independent
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Meet the Galway powerlifter who crowdfunded her dream to represent Ireland on the world stage
Aine O'Neill will represent Ireland at the Junior Powerlifting World Championships in Costa Rica this August In many sports, the time and effort that athletes invest often goes unnoticed. This issue is particularly prevalent in powerlifting, a sport that rarely, if ever, hits the headlines. The sport, which consists of three intense barbell lifts - squat, deadlift and bench - is still in its infancy. The Irish Powerlifitng Federation was only founded in 2016 and is not currently recognised by Sport Ireland. Sourcing funding is difficult and often falls to the athletes themselves should they wish to take part in competitions.
Irish Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Irish Daily Mirror
Danger here! Weather Warning for those considering exercise this weekend
Temperatures are predicted to soar for the weekend - it's gonna be a scorcher! Hot enough for all athletes, all the way from those at elite level to enthusiasts, park joggers to walkers, busy midfielders to stand-in-the-sticks goalkeepers, to think is especially important too, for those setting out hiking on any over 900 trails listed on the National Trails Register. It is important to remember that pleasant weather is always an athlete's friend, that hot weather is not necessarily temperatures are expected to get to as high as 27 degrees in places in Ireland these next three days tapering down to still sticky 24 degrees by take precautions, warn Sport Ireland, as exercising in hot weather puts extra stress on your it safe in the gym, in the park, on the pitch and on the streets during your workout and, as importantly, directly are some key tips to follow, advice every athlete needs to know, it is as valuable as good running shoes and the water you ready to run, play, workout, have you planned appropriately? ACCLIMATISATIONIn the Sport Ireland Institute we use an environmental chamber to simulate high temperatures to help our athletes prepare for competition in any part of the world, so we know how important it is to acclimate to hot conditions. If you are new to exercising in the heat, gradually increase your intensity and duration to allow your body to adjust. Start off a bit slower than you might usually and assess the situation after around 15 minutes. If you're feeling good then you can pick it up, but make sure to check in with yourself regularly. Limit your total exercise time to 30 minutes initially, you can increase this as you adjust to the heat. HYDRATEExercising in hotter weather puts an extra demand on your body. Remember to drink fluids before, during and after exercise. Water is a good start but look to add diluted squash, juice or electrolytes when exercising in the heat, to ensure you stay hydrated and are replenishing fluids and salts lost through sweating. Bring a bottle of fluids with you, or plan water stops along your route. If doing long-duration exercise, weighing yourself before and after can be a good way to monitor your fluid loss. For every 1kg decrease in weight, aim to drink 1.5L of fluids. COOLING DOWNAfter exercising in heat, your body temperature will be higher than normal and will remain elevated for a period. Effective strategies for cooling yourself include cold water shower, sipping on colder fluids, ice drinks such as slushies or jumping in an ice bath. This will help your recovery and reduce stress on your body quicker. SKIN NEEDS PROTECTIONIt is important to protect your skin from the sun. You are more at risk of skin cancer if you spend a lot of time outdoors and that includes exercising or playing sports Ireland, the sun can damage your skin, even on cloudy days. Skin damage does not only happen in hot, sunny places. #CHECK THE UV INDEX ON MET EIREANNUltraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage skin and increase your risk of skin cancers. This is because most skin cancers are caused by UV light damaging the DNA in skin cells. UVA and UVB are types of UV light. They damage skin over time, making it more likely for skin cancers to develop. The UV index tells you how strong the sun's UV rays are each day and you need to protect your skin when the UV index is 3 or above. In Ireland, the UV index is usually 3 or above from April to September, even when it is cloudy. UV is usually strongest between 11am and 3pm. THE 'SUNSMART 5s' RULESThe HSE and Healthy Ireland recommends that you follow the SunSmart 5s rules with the catchy shorthand jingle 'slip-slop-slap-seek-and-slide. SLIPSlip on clothes that cover your skin, such as long sleeves and T-shirts with a collar. Sun-protective clothing for babies and children SLOP Slop on broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen. Broad spectrum means the sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays. Put sunscreen on any skin that you do not cover with clothes. When buying sunscreen, the label should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 for adults and 50 for children. You should apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors and every two hours after. However, if you have been swimming and towel drying or after sweating you will need to put it on more often than every two hours. SLAPSlap on a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, ears and April to September the sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm so it is a good idea to exercise outside these times if possible. If you are outside during this time, seek shade. If exercising outdoors, choose routes with shade or consider exercising in parks with on wraparound sunglasses with UV protection to protect your eyes. *for more information visit the SunSmart website.
Irish Independent
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Katie Taylor's former boxing gym is looking for new tenants and applications close Friday
The local authority took possession of the building in June 2018 after a shooting incident the same month, in which gym member Bobby Messett was killed and two others, including Peter Taylor, the father and former coach of Olympic and World boxing champion Katie Taylor, who once trained there, were injured. The council is looking to hear from fully constituted sports clubs located within the Bray Municipal District, and which participate in sports that are recognised by Sport Ireland. The deadline for submission of interest with the relevant supporting documentation is 4pm on Friday, July 11 All submissions need to be directed the Municipal District offices in Bray or by email to braymd@ Reacting to the news Wicklow TD John Brady said the move is long overdue. 'I am delighted that after seven long years of this facility lying idle, we are finally seeing the movement to bring it back into use for the benefit of the community. There are so many brilliant sporting clubs in the Bray area crying out for a space to call home - and this facility could help meet that urgent need.' He encouraged any local sports clubs who need a premises to consider applying. 'Unfortunately, Bray has a serious shortage of such facilities, and that makes it all the more important that this one is finally brought back into active use.' He concluded: 'This is a positive step forward for the harbour area and the wider Bray community. I worked hard to secure this resource at the time, and I am proud to see it now being returned to serve the people who need it most.'
