GAA CONGRESS: 1 & 2: These relate to that hardy perennial of Congress, regulations governing the transfer of players to play in the US. The first extends the period during which players can obtain a sanction to play in North America whereas the second defines a permanent move as a minimum of three months.
3 & 4: These two motions were tabled on the contentious subject of Rule 42 (used to prevent other games being played on GAA property). The first, from Kildare (restricting relaxation of the rule to Croke Park), was withdrawn during the week leaving Clare's motion (to devolve authority on the matter to Central Council) on the clár. It, too, is thought likely to be withdrawn with the matter being deferred until the special congress to consider the report of the Strategic Review Committee.
5-7: Regularising the way (Single Transferable Vote PR) in which county officers are elected and catering for the appointment of a referees' administrator in each county.
8: Changing the annual deadline for club registration so that it falls before Congress instead of afterwards, thus providing an up-to-date basis for Congress representation.
9-10: Amending the functions of provincial councils to provide for the election of a PRO and earlier provision of club registration information.
11: This proposes to overturn one of the most contentious decisions taken by recent congresses. In 2000 a motion from Tyrone, explicitly ruling out any changes in the playing rules for a further 10 years, was passed. This motion would provide for a reversion to the status quo, which allowed such changes take place every five years.
12: Jarlath Burns, the chairman of the GAA's Players' Committee, will have the right to vote at Central Council should this be passed. Currently the players' representative has the right only to attend.
13: New York propose that they and the North American Board be allowed delegates to Central Council, rather than have to alternate the right as is the case at present.
14: Central Council proposes to extend the current format in the All-Ireland football championship by a year so that the conclusion of its trial period will coincide with that of its hurling equivalent. This will allow the future direction of both championships to be considered at the same time, in 2003.
15: Proposing that extra time be restricted to two halves of 10 minutes, rather than 15 minutes and that the interval in extra time be five minutes.
16: Allowing referees' administrators at whatever level to take full part, including exercising voting rights, in the committees that make match appointments.
17: This proposes that the quarter-final concept, introduced to the senior All-Ireland championship last year, be extended to the minor grade in football. It would feature the runners-up in the four provincial finals plus the winners.
18: The Davidstown club in Wexford proposes that the All-Ireland finals be held a month earlier, on the second and fourth Sundays in August.
19: This specifies the time limit on lodgment of appeals as three working days, rather than three days.
20: This is an emergency motion from Central Council to allow for extra time to be played in certain championship matches that would previously have gone to replays if drawn. The highest level affected is the new All-Ireland quarter-finals, two of which in football ended in draws last year.
21: Specifying the term of office of a club executive as "until the following a.g.m.".
22: Mayo propose a special congress to consider the Strategic Review Committee report and that it be held within two months. The latter provision is thought likely to be amended to provide for an autumn election.
