GAA to study policing proposals

The GAA said today it will carefully study a copy of the revised proposals for police reform in Northern Ireland.

The GAA said today it will carefully study a copy of the revised proposals for police reform in Northern Ireland.

The organisation fell short of endorsing the reforms but welcomed the fact that initial reaction to the proposals was positive while stressing that "certain difficulties still exist."

At Special Congress in May 1998, the GAA opted to delete the controversial Rule 21 - which forbids members of the North’s security services from joining the association - at a later date but only when necessary steps to revise current structures and policing arrangements were taken.

Political parties in Northern Ireland have been given until tomorrow midday to accept or reject the new-look police service as set out in the Government's latest implementation plan.