O’Donoghue stands firm in player welfare row

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue met seperatley with the GPA and GAA today to reiterate his position on the joint GAA-GPA submission on player welfare support.

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue met separately with the GPA and GAA today to reiterate his position on the joint GAA-GPA submission on player welfare support.

O'Donoghue requested the GAA submit a proposal which recognises his position on the matter.

“I have reiterated my position that the Department does not intend to provide direct funding to meet the costs of either direct grants to GAA players or of player welfare policies as the knock-on effects of such an arrangement across all other sports would be detrimental to sports development,” said O'Donoghue.

“This position was made clear in correspondence sent to the GAA during the time that the GAA and GPA were framing their proposal. I have also set out the position repeatedly in responding to media queries and Parliamentary Questions.”

“Responsibility for player welfare issues rests with the GAA in the same manner as similar player welfare issues in other sports must be dealt with by the responsible National Governing Body of Sport.

“I have indicated that I am prepared to make funding available, on an annual basis, which will facilitate the GAA in freeing up existing monies within the Association to meet the additional costs of agreed player welfare supports in the event that an agreement is reached between the GAA and the GPA on the issue of additional player welfare supports.”

“While I have already indicated that an amount of €5m could be set aside, I have once again reiterated the point made to the GAA in earlier correspondence that it would be premature to lock ourselves into any particular funding mechanism or to formally commit to any specific amount of such funding until such time as detailed cost proposals have been submitted by the GAA.”