Kelly urges GAA to engage with Oireachtas Sport Committee on October 7th
Kelly urges GAA to engage with Oireachtas Sport Committee on October 7th - The Labour Party
- Future Plans and timelines should be outlined
- Discussion needed on previous Committee appearances & what changed
Chairperson of the Oireachtas Sports Committee and Labour TD for Tipperary North Alan Kelly has urged the GAA to accept an invitation issued to the organisation by the Committee.
Deputy Kelly said:
“The resignation of Dr Mary McAleese as chairperson of the Steering Group on Integration represents a very worrying event in the integration of the three bodies governing the men and ladies GAA. We now know that the organisations involved in the integration process will not adhere to the timeline set out for the project.
“We need to hear directly from the GAA’s, LGFA’s and the Camoige Association’s leadership groups and ensure their commitment to equality and integration is steadfast and there is a timeline in place for this project.
“Having reflected on commentary by Dr McAleese, the GAA family of organisations and stakeholders, I believe a meeting with the Oireachtas Sports Committee would benefit all parties to drive forward a pathway to integration and ensure real equality in our Gaelic games.
“We can hear there what changed from the statements that they made to the committee at previous appearances and what plans they have for the future.
“The integration project is a generational one to finally bring all codes in line with each other. For too long this has been on the back burner.
“Anything that delays the timeline for integration is a completely regressive step. Kicking this can down the road would send a terrible signal to the thousands of girls in particular who pull on jerseys every weekend and to the volunteers who keep clubs running in every parish in the country. I would urge the GAA family of organisations to accept the invitation and attend the Committee in October.”