Albert Fallon, a former chairman of the Leinster Council who will be a candidate for the presidency of the GAA next year, has expressed support for the abolition of Rule 21 when a special congress meets to discuss the matter in Dublin on Saturday.

This follows further support for the move from the incumbent president, Joe McDonagh, and his immediate predecessor, Jack Boothman, and indicates a significant move in the climate for change.

Yesterday Fallon urged all sides in the debate to respect each other's views and rights. "It is going to be an emotional debate and while I have no objection to an open meeting with the media present, I understand that some people will be more comfortable if the debate is held in camera. It will be a democratic decision. "I issued my statement because some people were making statements about our president, Joe McDonagh, which were totally inaccurate and grossly unfair. We are all on the one side as far as our games are concerned and we should be big enough to sort out our differences and concentrate on the things which really matter. The removal of the rule will not alter the GAA in any way," he said.

Fallon's statement reads: "I fully understand and appreciate the many injustices that our members in the six counties have suffered over the past 25 years and the hurt and pain that they still feel today. "I also understand the historical context in which the rule came into being and am aware that in 1993 the association reiterated that in these words: `The association is committed to the cause of reconciliation amongst the people of all Ireland, based on mutual understanding and respect' and `in the context of a political settlement the concept of an exclusion policy will not have any relevance'."

Fallon's statement goes on: "In view of the massive yes vote, north and south in support of the Good Friday Agreement, which also included the key issue of policing, which I am sure the Patten report will address, how can we claim that the time and climate is not right?

"What purpose does the rule now serve? None, apart from the fact that it is quoted frequently to support the view of the GAA as bigoted and divisive. We are still a nationalist organisation by virtue of our ethos and Rules 2 and 18, which affirm our nationalist ideals. "The president, Joe McDonagh, showed courage and leadership by announcing this special congress which was agreed upon as far back as 1995, in the hope of leading our association to an acceptance that Rule 21 no longer has relevance.

"Efforts have been made to vilify the president and, by extension, the association by linking Lottery funding, Crossmaglen and the decision to put Rule 21 to this special congress. These associations are spurious and false. The reality is that Central Council decided unanimously that now was the time, a decision with which I fully concur. . .

"At the end of the day the democratic decision of the majority will decide the issue and all of us who believe in democracy must accept that decision, whatever it may be. The overall good of the association will be best served by deletion of Rule 21 at this point in time."