GAA:The speeding up of investigations, a reduction in the various appeal processes, fewer "technicalities" and increased use of video evidence are some of the main features of the GAA's new disciplinary procedures, which were outlined in Croke Park yesterday.  Ian O'Riordanreports.

While they have been in effect since January 1st, the chairman of the rule book task force - Cork's Frank Murphy - emphasised the main benefits of the new procedures as the playing season enters its more competitive phase.

There are three components to the system - a Competitions Controls Committee (CCC), a Hearings Committee, and an Appeals Committee - to operate at county, provincial and national level. The existing Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) will remain as the last point of appeal, which has already proved effective in keeping cases out of the legal system.

The CCC are the starting point, and while their responsibilities remain with fixtures, they also have the power to impose a penalty resulting from any reported breach of discipline.

"It is freer now than, say, the old GAC ever had been," explained Murphy, "in the sense that there is no formality attached to it. They can investigate and view the video as a committee, and inform the individual. If he doesn't want to accept that he can then seek a hearing, and the individual is given the opportunity to defend his position.

"But the CCC in all instances has the right to take action in all instances of indiscipline, whether or not it is contained in the referee's report. And individual member or members of the CCC can carry out that investigation."

The entire process is to be speeded up, primarily in ensuring referee reports are delivered the Monday after a weekend match. But the other main benefit is the removal of the so-called "technicality", where a player or team often had their case thrown out due an irregular or breach in procedure.

"In the event of an appeal being upheld, the appeal committee has the right to take one of three courses," added Murphy. "They can annul the decision, or on technical grounds send it back for a rehearing, or thirdly substitute their own decision. So this means the situation where an individual can get off on a technicality no longer exists.

"So if the committee is able to go back and do it again, it's much less likely you'll have fraud cases going up through the system, and having to go on to the DRA. You now have committees to correct the situation, and say go back and do it again."

The new system represents the second major overhaul of disciplinary procedures in recent years, and GAA president Nickey Brennan was confident it would prove successful.

"There's a very clear process here," he said, "and if this doesn't work the alternative will have to be extremely radical. What we're doing is being extremely fair to the players at all levels, and (we) have gone to extraordinary lengths for them to have their case heard, appealed, and even going to arbitration. It's an elaborate process, and therefore can take a little bit of time, depending on the case that might emerge.

"So it is very important that this works. But I would also like to emphasise that our games will remain physical, they will remain robust, and there will always to incidents.

"People should start taking the penalty handed down to them, because people know before the game what the penalty is before they transgress. I'm not going to contemplate whether or not this won't work, because quite frankly it has to work."

New Disciplinary Committee Structures and Procedures (main points)

Stage 1 - Competitions Control Committees

There are county, provincial and central Competitions Control Committees (These replace Games Administration Committees).

In matters of discipline, a Competitions Control Committee proposes a penalty.

If the unit/member accepts the proposed penalty, it is imposed.

If the unit/member does not accept the proposed penalty, the case goes to a Hearings Committee (at appropriate level).

Stage 2 - Hearings Committees

There are county (and subsidiary where necessary), provincial and central Hearings Committees (the latter replacing the Central Disciplinary Committee).

No member of the Management Committee or Competitions Control Committee, at any one level, may be a member of that level's Hearings Committee.

A case is tried before the relevant Hearings Committee - the case against being presented by representatives of the Competitions Control Committee and defended by the unit/member charged.

Stage 3 - Appeals

An appeal against a county's Hearing Committee goes to a provincial Hearings Committee. An appeal against a provincial Hearings Committee goes to a central Appeals Committee.

In all appeals, representatives of all parties to the previous hearing(s) shall have the right to participate in an appeal hearing.