Spring calls on GAA delegates to abandon Rule 21 at congress

The GAA should abandon Rule 21 which forbids members of the Northern Ireland police and the British army from membership, the former Labour leader, Mr Dick Spring, has said.

Speaking in advance of this weekend's special GAA congress called to consider the issue, Mr Spring said the association now had "a unique opportunity" to show "courage and determination". Many bodies have contributed over the last three and a half years to the Good Friday agreement's full implementation, he said. "This weekend represents a timely opportunity for it to contribute to this common endeavour," he added.

"The so-called ban has outlived its usefulness in my view. Policing in Northern Ireland has undergone enormous change in recent weeks, not least with the formal establishment of the new Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). I am disappointed that Sinn FΘin has not yet given support to the new service, but I hope that in the fullness of time they will see the PSNI as the way forward for policing in Northern Ireland."

He acknowledged that ending the ban would be difficult for many GAA delegates and challenges many of their entrenched positions. "Let us hope that they will grasp it", said the former minister for foreign affairs.

His statement follows last week's decision by the influential Kerry GAA County Board not to give voting instructions to its delegates attending the meeting.

Board chairman Mr Sean Walsh last night supported ending Rule 21: "Sport should not in any way be influenced, or involved in politics. This is a perfect opportunity for the GAA to get completely out of politics." The decision to allow delegates make up their own minds was not unusual, he insisted.