GAA insist only Congress can decide on Croker

THE GAA’s President-elect has reiterated the fact that any decision on the use of Croke Park for the European Championships in 2008 can only be made by Congress and by no other individual or group.

Sean Kelly was reacting to a statement by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue, in the Dáil yesterday. Mr O’Donoghue said the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has formally written to the Association requesting the use of GAA headquarters for the joint Irish/Scot bid to host the Championships in six years time.

“The Government is fully supportive of the joint bid for the European Championships in 2008, which will be decided by UEFA in December,” Minister O’Donoghue said. “I have no doubt that it would certainly help if we were in a position by then to state categorically where precisely we would be hoping to host the games in so far as they apply to this country. In that respect, the Taoiseach has written to the GAA authorities requesting them to make Croke Park available,” the Minister added.

“It must also be remembered, although it is sometimes forgotten, that the option of Landsdowne Road remains a live one. In other words, it has never been the case that we were putting forward only two venues. It has always been the case that there were three possible venues, two of which might be made available. ”

But Mr Kelly said the hands of President Sean McCague “are effectively tied” on the matter.

Mr Kelly added: “The Taoiseach wrote to the GAA and that was discussed at the last Central Council meeting but then as is now, it is an issue for Congress. So as a result the President’s hands are effectively tied by Congress.”

The Minister said UEFA will decide next month on where the championships will take place, stressing that the Scotland/Ireland bid would be in a stronger position if a definite list of venues could be provided. Mr O’Donoghue added the Ireland/Scotland bid is the best option open to UEFA. The Austrian/Swiss bid depends on a Swiss referendum for construction there of a stadium.

Mr Kelly said there is no fear the government will use its GAA funding to leverage agreement on Croke Park.

“I was at the last meeting with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, John O’Donoghue and Charlie McCreevy and they issued guarantees that this would not be the case. There are no conditions. They are honourable.”