Integration process is not paused or deferred, insists GAA chief Ryan

Ard Stiúrthóir of the GAA Tom Ryan during the GAA Annual Report launch at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

GAA director general Tom Ryan has countered claims that the integration process has stalled.

In a letter to GAA clubs and counties on Wednesday, Ryan reaffirmed the leadership’s commitment to “deliver integration for the wider Gaelic games family”.

He insisted the association’s Management Committee’s determination that the amalgamation with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and The Camogie Association “is definitely not a pause, a deferral, or a suspension of the project”.

However, Ryan explained Coiste Bainisti could not ask its members to join a merged organisation “that wasn’t clearly configured”.

He wrote: “Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the sterling work of Dr Mary McAleese as chairperson of the steering group on integration (SGI) her significant contribution to the process so far. We would not be at the point we are, without it.

“Second, it is important to state that we will appoint a new chairperson and continue the work at hand.

“While we have made significant progress on one membership and various other aspects of what is a complex project, there is still ground to be covered on the structural make-up of the new merged organisation.

“It is our belief that it was unreasonable to ask people to sign up to membership of an organisation that wasn’t clearly configured, hence the need for more time.

“In that light and in the absence of the required clarity, we did not deem it prudent to proceed with Special Congresses at this time.

“This is most definitely not a pause, a deferral, or a suspension of the project. Our work continues as we progress towards publishing a revised and phased plan to achieve integration. We embark upon that work in full collaboration with our colleagues in the LGFA and Camogie Association.

“As the process unfolds from this point, we will communicate progress and changes as they appear on the horizon.” 

Ryan concluded the letter by asking the club and county executives to share his message with fellow members. “Your support to date has been vital and it will continue to be for the remainder of the project.” 

In a letter to the integration steering committee on Monday, Ryan outlined that a more equitable approach to integration was needed. “Integration does not necessarily mean treating every part of the association in the same way from the outset.

“The three associations come to integration from different starting points, with different structures, resources, capacities and challenges. Recognising those differences is important if integration is to deliver fair and sustainable outcomes.

“An equitable approach acknowledges that different supports, resources or approaches may be required in different areas to achieve a genuinely integrated association.” 

Ryan said the process would take another five years. “Integration should be viewed as a process rather than a single organisational change or a fixed end date. We now need to build on the impressive work undertaken by the SGI to date and derive a clear, detailed and phased plan over the next five years to achieve it.” 

McAleese’s replacement could be announced in advance of the next integration steering committee on October 5. The next Central Council meeting takes place two days earlier and the identity of the new lead may be revealed then.