London Olympics will hinder game in North, says Murphy

THE financial commitment of the British government to the hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games in London will have a direct impact on GAA units in the north of Ireland, claims Ulster Council secretary Danny Murphy.

Describing the situation as “scandalous”, he “entirely disproves” the statement of the British Prime Minister that the Olympics would “lift all sport”.

Praising clubs in the province for their efforts in improving facilities and acknowledging the importance of lottery finance, he explains that “the upshot of the Olympics will see a dearth of funds” for projects taken forward.

“In our case, it has left facilities support from the Sports Council devoid of funds. We could stand still and moan the loss or we can continue to plan and develop while at the same time bringing pressure to bear on our elected representatives to address this scandalous removal for grassroots sport.

“Our clubs deserve our support in what they are doing and against the pressure on funding,’’ he said, adding that unprecedented investment in grounds and infrastructure has witnessed tremendous development of county and club grounds, centres of excellence and floodlighting projects.

Again focusing on policy matters in Northern Ireland, he points out that the council’s strong opposition to the Planning Policy Statement (PPS14), which has the unequivocal backing of all units of the association in the country, continued during the year. The Provincial Council and senior staff raised the issue in all of the meetings with ministers north and south, and also attended a number of specific meetings with interested stakeholders — “who, like the GAA, wish to have the draconian policy removed forthwith and replaced with something that is palatable for rural communities.

“The GAA’s insistence and high profile criticism of the policy has greatly assisted the overall case of people in rural areas of the North who have lobbied for the removal of PPS14.

“It now appears that the Ministerial Committee being lead by the Minister for the Environment Arlene Foster has taken into consideration many of the issues brought forward by us and that the ‘emerging findings paper’ from this body, which will be published in a few weeks will make provision for the development of sustainable rural communities and will recognise the role that groups such as GAA clubs have in rural areas.

“We believe a credible alternative can be developed after proper consultation that should enable our clubs to flourish in rural areas based on a sensible and balanced planning control system responsive to the democratic will of the people. We as an association will accept nothing less.’’

He also refers to a “very worrying” government policy that was drafted last year and put out to a consultation, elaborating: “the strangest and most obstructive consultation that we have been involved in then took place in relation to the Security Industry Act (SIA).

The terms of this act will have a very negative impact on the operation and safe management of GAA events, should it as proposed, be brought in to legal application in the North of Ireland, as it applies in Britain.

“The legislation proposes to certify ‘stewards’ who operate at events where they interact with the general public and could have serious consequences for our operations in this regard.”

On a more positive note, he welcomes the introduction of the School Coaches Programme.