Mr. Tom Parsons:

The GPA is the representative body for 4,000 male and female intercounty players in Ireland. Equality was added as an objective of the association when we integrated in 2020. Our vision was to "work towards equal investment, recognition and opportunities" for all players. I am proud to state the GPA has delivered gender equality across all of its areas from governance to the supports and resources we offer to male and female intercounty players.

Fundamentally, the GPA believes that Gaelic games can be a world leader in gender equality because of their amateur status. In 2021, we brought the landmark motion to the GAA congress calling for the integration of the national governing bodies, NGBs, leading to the commencement of the current integration process.

Reflecting on the GPA's journey, we believe the NGBs can find essential guidance for their journey from our own integration. We believe full integration was key to breaking down gender barriers and building an inclusive organisation. We learned the importance of prioritising equality, leadership, and equal representation in the GPA. I am extremely proud to say that today we have a thriving integrated player representative body. The key lessons from our journey were the need to champion equality in every decision; the importance of strong leadership; to ensure equal representation at all levels; thorough and interactive planning; and an equity-based funding model.

The GPA's successful integration journey serves as a model on a much smaller scale. We have had some engagement with the integration committee, although it was limited in its nature. We are fully committed to continued engagement with the governing bodies on their journey to date. It is important to note that players are considerable stakeholders, not just intercounty players but also club players, and that they are not bystanders to the decisions made for our games.

We believe the Government has provided a significant leadership role on gender equality in Irish sport. We thank the Government for the equalisation of grant funding for male and female intercounty players. This funding remains a significant recognition from the Government of the intercounty players' role and impact on society. The GPA administers this funding, working with the national governing bodies and Sport Ireland. This helps us to maintain an important independence from the NGBs. We gather independent data on player welfare and well-being, and we provide vital welfare services to players. The funding continues to provide a direct relationship between the Government and intercounty players across Ireland. We remain committed to continuing to support key national policies with respect to health, well-being and participation in sport across the country.

The recent Government policies guaranteeing gender representation on boards and ensuring similar access requirements for sporting facilities in receipt of public funding are again a recognition and an opportunity for boys and girls and men and women across the country. The GPA is keen to engage in the development of more policies that can enhance the equal treatment of male and female players.

Challenges do persist in the female intercounty game. That was highlighted last year in the GPA's State of Play report, which stressed the need for minimum standards and funding. We aimed to collaborate with the associations for interim solutions en route to integration, which did lead to a campaign highlighting the current inequality. In response to this, the first female charter to ensure minimum standards was implemented in 2024, supported by increased funding from the GAA. That is welcome. It is a starting point. It is an indication of the need for interim initiatives while we strive for integration and equal treatment.

I want to emphasise the players' collective right to independent representation, and its importance at every step along the journey. The GPA would like more formal recognition from the Government and relevant entities, and the committee's support in this endeavour would be much appreciated.

The GPA will continue to support progress towards integration so that every girl and boy and man and woman playing our games is treated equally. The language in the motion referred to equal recognition, investment and opportunity. That is very important. The key priorities for us going forward will be to ensure equal treatment of men and women when it comes to standards and recognition; to ensure engagement with players who are stakeholders in the decisions that are made; and to ensure key milestones are met such as a policy on similar access, the implementation of minimum standards and the introduction of a joint fixtures calendar.

I would like to highlight some of the challenges raised by the governing bodies, namely, the three Fs - fixtures, finances and facilities. Players often talk about what is performance and what is success. When we break down success into an equation, we always talk about two elements: one is capability and the second one is behaviours. The three Fs would fall under the capabilities of integration. The behaviours piece is all about values, mindset, attitude and leadership. In terms of behaviours, it is extremely important for intercounty players, all players and everybody in our Gaelic games to show strong role modelling in this journey. I thank members for their time.