Hogan looks a strong candidate for president
Next year Annual Congress will elect an Uachtarán Tofa and this will generate a fair deal of politicing before the votes are cast and counted.
Traditionally, the runner-up from the previous campaign is elected and, if this trend continues, then Liam O’Neill will take the hot seat. The Laois man has a very impressive record in administration at all levels of the Association. After a stellar career in his native county, O’Neill has been equally steady and impressive as chairman of our biggest province, Leinster, and now chair of one the most important development committees in the GAA – Coaching and Games Development. For a while it seemed O’Neill might have no opposition as, while names were being touted, none stepped forward.
Two names often mentioned in dispatches were Ulster’s Tom Daly and Jarlath Burns. But while they are seen as presidential material they don’t seem to have the inclination to run this time. This is somewhat surprising as in the old rota system it would appear to be Ulster’s or Connacht’s turn to have a president. But, as of now, no candidate has emerged from either province.
However, out of Munster has stepped Tipperary’s Con Hogan who was interested in running in 2008 but fellow Premier man, Seán Fogarty, was on the ticket then. If Hogan were to triumph next April, it would mean that the prestigious role would be occupied nine years out of 12 by a Munster man, an unusual but not unique situation. Regardless of history and geography, Hogan is going to be a very strong candidate. He, like O’Neill, has a long, steady and committed administrative career behind him.
One thing the GAA must decide on is the level of remuneration to give the president during his three years in office.
It is now a full-time post but that is a situation that has evolved rather than was planned for.
As a result, up until now, there have been no guidelines, with the assumption being that the Uachtarán would receive the same salary as he had in whatever job he was seconded from. But clearly that’s not sustainable as if, for instance, the Uachtarán had been unemployed or had been CEO of a big company, the discrepancy in salary would be outlandish.
I have heard suggestions the GAA were going to bring in a tiered payment system reflecting broadly speaking the level of remuneration the Uachtarán would have enjoyed before taking over the role. The question has to be asked about the wisdom of such an approach. The job is the same no matter who gets it so why pay one person more than another based on his regular employment. In an association that’s founded in the amateur ethos and equality, surely whoever gets elected as Uachtarán should be entitled to the same package as the Uachtarán before him and those that come after him. Also because this is an elected position, it would be better that everyone knew the position. Candidates then would know exactly what they were stepping into and could make their minds up accordingly .
It might also be opportune as well to look at the role of the Uachtarán especially in regard to his interaction, responsibilities and control of full-time staff in Croke Park both at managerial and stadium executive level. Clear lines of demarcation between the role of the Ard Stiurthoir and the Uachtarán and the Stadium Executive and the Uachtarán need to be established for the benefit of all.
