The three organisations at the centre of Gaelic games integration have insisted they remain fully committed to the creation of a single organisation, despite ongoing disagreements over how the process should be completed.
Representatives from the GAA, Camogie Association and Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) appeared before the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport on Wednesday, following renewed scrutiny of the integration process.
In a joint opening statement, the three bodies said they were committed to “making sure everyone enjoys the benefits of that one new organisation”, while acknowledging that some of the outstanding issues were “significant but not insurmountable”.
The appearance came after former President of Ireland Mary McAleese resigned as chair of the Steering Group on Integration (SGI) last month, four years after taking on the role. Ms McAleese said she was “devastated” to step down and warned that momentum behind the process was fading.
However, GAA president Jarlath Burns strongly rejected suggestions that integration had stalled, saying the work carried out by Dr McAleese had brought the three organisations closer to their goal.
“Dr McAleese's work as Chair of the Steering Group on Integration has brought us a huge way down the road and we are closer to that goal because of her work – not further away,” he said.
Mr Burns said the GAA's final meeting with Dr McAleese before her resignation had been “very positive” and “very frank”. He said they had discussed the organisations’ opening position for final integration and agreed that certain outcomes would follow.
He acknowledged that there had been difficulties during consultation meetings, with differing views emerging over what the structures of a new organisation should look like.
GAA director general Tom Ryan said the scale of the task meant that integration could take several years to complete. He said the GAA would set out the steps required and a timeline at its next Congress.
“This is a huge undertaking. This is the biggest thing that our organisation has done since its inception 140 years ago,” he said.
Mr Burns said the three organisations were determined to see the process through, adding that their commitment was “as firm as ever”.
“We are committed to achieving integration of our organisations and we will achieve it,” he said.
He also rejected suggestions that the GAA's organisational structures were influenced by gender bias, although he acknowledged that gender issues could arise at playing level.
The comments followed questions from Senator Alison Comyn about concerns that women might not have a meaningful role in senior decision-making. Mr Burns said women had “genuine influence” within the GAA and described the issue as “anything but” a gender matter at administrative level.
He also highlighted the close relationship between the GAA and Camogie Association, saying they were already “fully integrated” at the top level.
He pointed to financial and administrative arrangements between the organisations, including a €500,000 grant, the GAA covering rent and utility costs for Camogie’s current offices, and a €2 million commitment towards new accommodation at Croke Park.
Mr Ryan also confirmed that the three organisations had agreed on a new chairperson for the Steering Group on Integration, with an announcement expected in the future.
