Gaelic games bodies reiterate integration promise
The GAA, Camogie Association, and LGFA have reaffirmed their commitment to integrating the three organizations into a single body. While the process is expected to take several years, the groups are currently working to appoint a new steering group chairperson following the resignation of Mary McAleese.
Why it matters
Integration of these major sporting bodies is a historic administrative shift in Irish sports, impacting the governance and structure of Gaelic games.
The three Gaelic games bodies were before an Oireachtas committee on Wednesday and insisted that they remain "committed to achieving integration", with the GAA's director general saying the process could take "a number of years".
Representatives from the Camogie Association, Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) and Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) appeared before the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport.
The three organisations delivered a single joint opening statement in which they say they are committed to "making sure everyone enjoys the benefits of that one new organisation". However, they acknowledged outstanding issues "are significant but not insurmountable".
The representatives attending today's session sit on the Steering Group on Integration (SGI), from which former President of Ireland Mary McAleese resigned as chair last month, four years after her appointment, a development which has brought the process of integration under heightened scrutiny and has led to today's sitting.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in