Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Section 235 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides an exemption from income tax or corporation tax, as appropriate, for bodies which are established and existing for the sole purpose of promoting: 

- an athletic game or an athletic sport, or 

- an amateur game or an amateur sport.

The exemption applies to that portion of the income of the “approved body” which has been or will be applied to the purpose of promoting an athletic or amateur game or sport. 

As the legislation does not define what is meant by the term “sport”, Revenue advise me that it is given its ordinary meaning, which includes pastimes collectively undertaken for recreation purposes, provided such activities are legal and considered by convention and custom to be sporting activities. These include field sports such as hunting. Bodies engaged in the promotion of such activities are entitled to a tax exemption under the legislation provided they meet all the other relevant criteria.

In general, consideration of changes to income tax policy and legislation takes place within the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill process. With the Budget now only weeks away, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any possible changes that may or may not be included in Budget 2022.