THE GAA HAS distanced itself from the upcoming fiscal compact referendum after a number of the Association’s top personalities joined a civic movement campaigning for a yes vote.
All-Ireland winning managers Brian Cody of Kilkenny, Conor Counihan of Cork and Pat Gilroy of Dublin are patrons of Alliance for Ireland, which is urging voters to ratify the compact on 31 May.
Ex-Wexford hurling manager Liam Griffin and former GAA President Christy Cooney are also listed as patrons of the group directed by Pat Cox, a former MEP and President of the European Parliament from 2002-2004.
In a short statement released this afternoon, the GAA stressed that it is a non-political organisation as set down in Rule 1.11 of the Association’s official guide and reaffirmed its neutrality in the upcoming vote.
However, there is no regulation preventing individual members from expressing their own political views.
“The GAA is a non-party political organisation whose individual members may, of course, decide to take positions on political issues in accordance with their own personal views and commitments,” the statement read.
“As an Association, however, the GAA does not take a position, or comment in any way, on either elections or referenda.”
Former Ireland rugby international Denis Hickie is also a patron of Alliance for Ireland, which launched its campaign in Dublin last weekend.
Well believe me Anthony… They concern us!
A season and a half of poor performances, poor results and no apparent progress. Only in Ireland would a coach be rewarded for that.
A wise man once told me its not what you know it’s who you know.
Hope He gets a new contract. Just needs to sack Ian Costello.