Niall Quinn has suggested that tax breaks should be given to individuals to encourage investment in Irish football teams.
Quinn, who served as FAI interim deputy CEO until September, was speaking following Dundalk's 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Europa League on Thursday.
"It's very difficult because there's not enough money in the Irish game," Quinn told Virgin Media.
"We heard the manager (Filippo Giovagnoli) giving out that the games aren't spread about. Well, actually the reasons the games aren't spread out is because clubs can't afford for the season to be extended because they can't pay the players longer. Not all of them, Dundalk players are on 52-week contracts but there are a lot of clubs who can't go that far.
"I would hope there was the odd politician watching that match tonight to see our team and hear what Brian [Kerr] is saying about the difference [in quality] and think what football means to us in this country.
"And that somehow we can change people's perception of how football should be treated at the elite level by maybe coming together to make facilities better and give tax breaks to people to invest in football clubs. That would get it out of the doldrum that it's in and give a break to people who have kept League of Ireland football going.
"It would give something to our young players to aspire to here; the pathways are good, we're capable of building teams here and getting good players through.
"Going to England, Brexit is coming, that's not going to be the option it always used to be.
"Maybe it's a time to start again and look at how government can help our elite football on this island have better nights and more teams [playing in big European games, rather] than one every four or five years scraping through.
"It's a great shame because we love football in this country. Government have been good to help the Association in the difficulties they've encountered in the last 18 months. A long-term plan for facilities [is needed], get people going to games, drive revenue, and give tax breaks to people to bring a standard of football into play here that means we can compete.
"It sounds dreamy but tonight I would hope that the people who can make differences and changes in football in this country have a look at it."
"I hope the odd politician watched the match tonight.
"Maybe it's a time to look at how government can help our football have better nights like that and more teams than one every four seasons."
Niall Quinn speaking after Dundalk's defeat at the Emirates.#CmonTheTown | #UEL pic.twitter.com/Bkd6BPNzWz— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 29, 2020
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