Extension of treasurer tenures set to be discussed

MUNSTER COUNCIL chiefs aim to bring a motion to GAA Congress seeking for the term of treasurer in county boards and provincial councils to be extended to six years.

Under the existing system, officers in the GAA are forced to resign their position after five successive years in office. The ruling was introduced in order to encourage younger people into board positions and prevent individuals from having long stints in any role.

But Munster Council bosses are set to argue that the treasurer’s position is hugely important, given the current financial difficulties facing counties and provinces, and that the term of office should be upped to six years.

The current Munster Council treasurer is Tipperary’s Michael Power, who was elected to the post in 2008 but will have to step down after 2012 under the current system.

A motion will be brought forward in relation to the treasurer’s term of office, to the Munster Council Convention in Listowel Arms Hotel in Kerry on Friday March 5.

If passed it will then go forward for approval to the GAA National Congress, which is being held this year in Newcastle, County Down on April 17 and 18.

Meanwhile, there will be one officer contest at this year’s Munster Council Convention.

With Sean Walsh (Kerry) set to take over the chairman’s position from Jimmy O’Gorman (Waterford), the position of vice-chairman that Walsh currently holds will be contested by John Costigan (Tipperary) and Robert Frost (Clare).