Review of DRA suggests changes

A review of the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA), the independent body established to deal with matters that might otherwise have ended up in the courts, has recommended a number of modifications to the way the DRA operates.

The body heard a number of high-profile cases this year including the controversial enforcement of the Mark Vaughan suspension, which was decided ultimately in favour of the player and his club Kilmacud Crokes, who are now Leinster club champions.

Amid concerns that access to the body is too freely available and that cases are sometimes trivial in the light of what the authority was established to consider, it has been proposed that the minimum deposit required for a hearing should be doubled from €500 to €1,000.

Otherwise, the review, which was undertaken by the Rule Book Task Force - a number of whose members are also involved with DRA - doesn't propose seismic change.

The need for training is emphasised in the first recommendation with the DRA proposing to conduct seminars in the future and suggesting the GAA do likewise in the meantime.

In answer to reservations about the interpretation of rules by the DRA in certain cases, the review points out any problems with such perceptions can be solved by simply changing the rules at the following congress. It also proposes a standing committee to consider such amendments to the rules in the light of DRA decisions and urges that the Official Guide be updated after each congress.

A schedule to the report lists possible changes arising from each of the cases considered.

Decisions will continue to be published on the internet despite complaints about this procedure. The review felt the availability of the decisions would help those considering taking cases to the DRA.

It was revealed there was a shortage of DRA panellists in the non-legal category. A supplementary list has been submitted to Central Council. The workload of the DRA secretary, solicitor Liam Keane, is to be addressed.

A breakdown of the 24 cases heard to date shows five were successful, seven failed and five settled. Four were withdrawn and three were respectively clarified, out of time and pending.

RULE BOOK TASK FORCE

Frank Murphy (chairman), Liam Mulvihill (secretary), Dan McCartan, Hugh O'Flaherty, Declan Hallissey, Micheál O'Connell, Liam Keane.