Cooney: It’s time to revamp Congress
Cooney is also expected to reveal that championship ticket prices will be reduced for this summer’s All-Ireland series.
However, he last night revealed that he will discuss how Congress can be more effective as a forum.
“I certainly believe we have to look at it,” Cooney told RTÉ Radio. “Not alone must we look at Congress but we must look at provincial conventions and county conventions and how we want to structure them and who we need to have at these forums. I will be addressing that.”
Cooney’s successor, Liam O’Neill, has already outlined suggestions to streamline Congress by possibly diverting motions to Central Council and debating proposals before Congress.
And yesterday O’Neill told a press briefing that Congress “doesn’t add up to the sum of its own parts. We’ve 320 of the organisation’s most talented people in a hall for a day and a half and we don’t seem to get best of it. But it’s an intimidating forum also. It’s difficult to get up in front of 320 people. A sharp word or an interruption can have an awful effect on a speaker.”
Cooney strongly defended the purpose of Congress in spite of recent unfortunate situations, like the incredible 123 motions on last year’s Clár as well as the u-turn on Division 4 teams not getting a second chance if they lost before their provincial final.
“It is never a waste of time. Open dialogue, debate, discussion and decision-making is never a waste of time because it is a necessary part of any organisation. But maybe there is a need to look at the make-up of Congress and how we make our decisions.”
Meanwhile, Congress delegates were met with a silent protest from the Croke Park Streets Committee group at the Mullingar Park Hotel. The protesters, local Croke Park residents, are complaining about plans to demolish and rebuild the handball centre. Delegates were handed leaflets articulating the group’s views. The protest continues today.
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