Burns: McAleese comments 'regrettable' and 'offensive'

President of the GAA Jarlath Burns ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Jarlath Burns has expressed disappointment with Mary McAleese’s criticism of the GAA in the wake of her resignation as chairperson of the integration steering committee.

Dr McAleese accused the Association of 'lacking in vision' after being informed that it could not commit to a definitive timeline for integration with the LGFA and Camogie Association. The GAA president took particular issue with Dr McAleese’s remarks about gender issues and the role of women in the GAA, while also warning that ‘going straight to equality’ would double inter-county costs to €90 million.

He told RTE’s News at One: "I just hope that in the fullness of time, Dr McAleese will reflect on that part of her remarks yesterday and maybe clarify them because it is quite offensive to the people who are on that committee.

"Every national committee has significant female representation. And in fact, five of our national committees are chaired by women. The GAA Management Committee that I chair is one of the most wonderfully dynamic, intelligent committees that we have in the GAA."

Burns added: "I want every single girl who plays the game to feel the same way as every boy playing. And I think that there was a lot talked yesterday about the word equity and equality. I feel that equity is a staging post on the road to equality.

"The GAA has committed significant infrastructure resources to ensuring that that happens with all of the hubs that are being built all around the country and virtually maybe in a third of the counties.

"If we go straight into equality, the €45m which we currently spend preparing county teams goes to €90m. We just simply cannot sustain that.

"It’s about resources and the allocation of resources and fundraising that our county volunteers have to do.”