A GAA special congress has passed measures to improve the gender balance in its Managing Committee, voting 79 to 21 percent in favour.
The size of the committee will change in upcoming years, increasing to 21 members in 2024 of which nine would be female, and then reducing to 19 members in 2025, and 16 in 2026 with appropriate changes. The move will achieve the goal of minimum 40 percent female leadership by 2024 that was outlined for sporting governing bodies in the 2021-2023 Government action plan on sport.
Director General Tom Ryan spoke in favour of the motion, arguing for it on its own merit and to protect government funding for the GAA.
"It's a well-accepted principle that diverse committees arrive at better decisions. Motion nine seeks to build on this principle. It is appropriate that we should lead on this. 25 percent of membership is female. Clubs [are] leading the way with 30 percent of management roles filled by females."
"Would we do this is if Government didn't require it? I don't think we would but it's not a bad thing if it gets us to where we should be. It is a requirement for all sporting bodies and applies to one national committee of GAA and no others."
"Is Government funding at risk? Yes. To what extent? I don't know. Figures of 50 percent have been mentioned but there is no confirmation. We received 15 or 16 million euro and I don't want to risk any of that."
"Gender quotas are divisive but I don't think we'll get where we need to be without this intervention. I don't know when this will happen organically but taking this decision will bring that day closer. Are we being forced? We are under pressure and under scrutiny, yes, but that's nothing new. Other sports are not our concern. The only question is will this leave GAA in better position and I believe it will."
