A video by Dr Mary McAleese, independent chair of the steering group on integration for the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association, is played during day one of the GAA Annual Congress 2023 at Croke Park in Dublin.
By John Harrington
Dr. Mary McAleese this evening outlined her vision for an integrated Gaelic games Association.
The former President of Ireland is independent chairperson of the steering group on integration for the GAA, the LGFA, and the Camogie Association, and spoke to delegates at the GAA’s Annual Congress in Croke Park via a video message.
She made it clear that the integration will take place, and encouraged anyone with a vested interest to engage with the steering group who are currently undertaking an extensive consultation process.
“All three organisations have emphatically decided that their future lies in one integrated organisation based on equality,” said McAleese.
“A year ago Congress championed that vision for an integrated future. A steering group of top officials from each organisation which I’m chairing is now preparing the roadmap to integration, to three in one, to one Association.
“We know it’s going to be a complex process but with your help and heft we intend to be part of a generation that will make it happen. We’ve already started a comprehensive and thorough listening process seeking insight from every level of the three organisations into the how of making integration happen.
“There is no if, there is no but in our deliberations. We’re past those questions. Now we need to figure out how. We know and fully understand the worries some people will naturally have about the operational implications of one Association particularly when it comes to practical things like fixtures, money, facilities, resources, or worries like protecting identity or respecting each Association's unique expertise regarding its own sports.
“Problems around internal organisation and autonomy, the overall governance structure, and more. You have mandated us to find ways of navigating these concerns. In some places there are very encouraging examples of advanced best practice.
“So, this is a great opportunity for me on behalf of the steering group to tell you we’re up and running and following through on an extensive planned consultation, advice, data, and information from within the three organisations and from outside the Gaelic games family.
“We know we have your enthusiastic support and now we need your active engagement so that we have the highest quality material from which to discern a sure pathway to an integrated future that we all desire.
“Why do we so strongly desire it? It’s because we know that the united power and genius of this trinity, this troika of Gaelic games organisations will create something so much greater than the sum of their parts. One integrated Association infused with an ethic of equality, that's the prize.
“It’s the one prize that is capable of fully honouring all those who in the past have given their hearts and hands to growing Gaelic Games into the national and international powerhouse that we’re so deeply proud of.
“It's the one prize capable of ensuring that in the future the very best is yet to come.
“Ní neart go cur le chéile. Ar aghaidh linn le chéile.”