Duffy voices spending concerns at launch of annual report

GAA Director General Paraic Duffy has warned that inter-county teams will have to cut spending as he launched his annual report this morning.

The move comes ahead of next month's Annual Congress in Newcastle, Co Down, where the cost of inter-county teams and alleged payments to managers among the issues set to be highlighted.

An endorsement of the current Championship structure and praise for rule changes were just some of the other topics dealt with today by Duffy in his wide-ranging report.

Attracting considerable attention is Duffy's concern over the expenditure of inter-county teams.

"We are in an economic recession, income is falling. Our attendances are holding up, but our income is certainly falling - the same is true of counties as well, and you simply cannot spend what we have been spending in recent years," Duffy stated.

"If your income is falling, you spend less and that is the lesson for all our counties and I hope they take that on board."

Duffy also believes that cost-savings can be found if County Boards, players and managers sit down and discuss the issue of finances.

"I think that there is still room for savings, and certainly our experience is that where county boards and managers and players sit down and look at costs.

"I think you can control costs without having a very significant influence on the preparation of teams. I do believe we can reach an accomodation on that in most counties."

According to Duffy, there is also now more than enough evidence to suggest that some inter-county managers are accepting payments over that which is allowed under expenses.

"It's not a question of new evidence, the issue is there. As I said in my report most managers and coaches are not paid, but there is clearly enough evidence to suggest that some are being paid."

He added: "I think it's time that we actually took on the issue and tried to address it.

"What I suggest in the report is we need to initiate a proper debate. I've suggested that we set up a committee who would perhaps present a discussion document on the way forward.

"The issue is there, managers are being paid; coaches are being paid - the Association in general is not comfortable with it, because we do espouse and proclaim amateurism as a core value.

"I have no doubt that is the majority feeling of the members of our Association.

"I think that the Association wants us to address it, and I would hope that we then can produce a discussion paper which would initiate some action.

"Rooting it out would be ideal, but life is not like that and maybe it would be a question of some manner of controling it so at least it is within the rules of the Association. Either would be better than the present situation."

A recent investigation by TV3 News alleged that a quarter of inter-county managers are being paid more than legitimate expenses, and Duffy says it is a quarter too many.

"Well a recent survey would suggest about one quarter, that probably isn't too far away.

"As I said the vast majority are not being paid, and it is important to make that point. But a quarter is far too many, and I think that's a fair figure."

On the issue of future soccer and rugby internationals at Croke Park, Duffy believes that the authority should be handed to Central Council, and not for debate at GAA Congress.

"Authority to open Croke Park in the future should also be given to the Central Council of the Association," he stated.

"The mechanism we have at the moment, if we go back to the situation that existed before the opening up of Croke Park, it would mean that Congress would have to make a decision. That's a very unwieldy way of deciding whether or not we should open up Croke Park to other games.

"This may be irrelevant, but you could have a situation for example, where Ireland might host a Rugby World Cup. We'd simply like to have the ability to make that decision through Central Council, rather than having to wait for an Annual Congress."

Duffy was critical too of the current suspensions process.

"I would have a concern to about the current time-based suspension model. It is inequitable.

"I think a player - depending on the time of year he is suspended - for an eight-week ban could serve a five-game suspension or actually be suspended for no games.

"It's unfair on players and I would like to see us addressing that at a match-ban situation."