Thomas Byrne says the Government must "step up to the plate" to improve Irish soccer facilities.
But the new Minister for State for Sport maintains that outgoing FAI chair Roy Barrett's request that the Government increase the betting tax from two to three percent, with the extra funding going to football, is a matter for Minister for Finance Michael McGrath.
"Clearly times have changed but it's set up into legislation," said Byrne of the controversial levy, with the financial benefits ring-fenced for the horse racing and greyhound industries.
