Mr. Iarlaith ? Broin:

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Chathaoirligh agus a dhaoine uaisle. Ar an chéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil libh as ucht an chuireadh inniu. Léiríonn an cuireadh seo an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an tionscadal seo. Tá a fhios againn go léir go bhfuil an tír agus an pobal Gaelach ar fud na tíre agus ar fud an domhain ag feitheamh linn an sprioc seo a bhaint amach mar tuigimid go léir an duais atá le baint amach ma éiríonn linn é a dhéanamh mar ba cheart, agus caithfear é a dhéanamh mar is ceart. Sin an fáth go bhfuil muid ag cur an oiread sin fuinnimh, stáidéir agus comhairliúchán isteach san fhiontar seo. Don trí eagraíocht, is é seo an tionscadal is tábhachtaí i stair an trí cumann.

Today I come before the committee as president of the Gaelic Athletic Association, alongside my esteemed counterparts from the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Camogie Association, united in our commitment to the project of full integration between our organisations. Integration is not merely a goal; it is a shared vision rooted in our collective dedication to the advancement of Gaelic games. Together, we recognise the transformative power of unity and we are resolute in our determination to realise its full potential. Our consultations with our membership have returned overwhelming approval for full integration and have allowed us to imagine a future where the barriers between Gaelic football, ladies' football and camogie are dissolved, where players of all backgrounds and genders stand shoulder to shoulder on the same field, bound by a common love for our national games. Integration promises not only greater inclusivity but also enhanced competitiveness, as we harness the unique strengths of each code to create a more dynamic and compelling sporting experience for all. Yet, I know there are those who will state that all they have seen so far is aspirational rhetoric without tangible results and that we are moving too slowly. Others will state that a target date of 2027 is fanciful and too ambitious and that we should not be naïve to the challenges that lie ahead.

Many of our grassroots club activists are impatient to usher in a new era of inclusivity in its fullest sense and more than 900 clubs have achieved full integration with the "one club" model. These views will be shared almost unanimously with our county players of all codes and the Gaelic Players Association. However, the county game, in particular, presents a formidable challenge to integration, with its complex structures, significant financial demands and player welfare requirements. Many GAA county committees are apprehensive about the idea of full equality knowing that it might simply multiply the €40 million cost of preparing county teams by three. We know that an inter-county model without a significant enforcement of the amateur status code is simply not viable. There is also the issue of playing and changing facilities. These will require significant upgrade and modernisation if we are to cater properly for a fully compliant association which honours even the most basic terms of reference for equality in this regard.

As we reflect on this project, it is important in our giddy enthusiasm that we “begin with the end in mind”, as Stephen Covey described it, so that we do not lose sight of the journey to achieve integration, which is why a methodical, incremental approach is not only important but crucial if this is to work. The two perspectives I have outlined are true in their own way but should not distract us. It is the job of the implementation committee to create a Gaelic games organisation which reassures the fears of those who are reluctant to make the jump, while satisfying the impatience of those who cannot understand why it has not happened already.

As custodians of the Gaelic games, we must confront all of these challenges head-on, mindful of the need to protect the integrity and tradition of our three organisations, while forging a path towards greater unity and co-operation. However, the one driving force that should keep our minds focused and our resolve strong is the fact that the road to integration, while complex and with many obstacles, is a journey worth undertaking. With strategic planning, prudent financial management and unwavering commitment, we can overcome these barriers and usher in a new era of unity and inclusivity in Gaelic games. Together, as one sporting family, we are confident in our ability to navigate the complexities of integration in a manner that respects the unique identity of each code while advancing the collective interests of all.

I pay tribute to the officers of each of the three associations for their diligent work in bringing us closer each day to the moment of full integration. They have been led by Mary McAleese, our iarUachtarán, who is perhaps the only person in Ireland who has the skills, respect and acumen to achieve this vision for us. We know that on that morning when we awaken to the vista of full integrated status as one organisation, it will not an end in itself but the beginning of a new journey towards a brighter, more inclusive future for Gaelic games in Ireland and across the world.