President Seán Kelly's address: In an otherwise low-key address at the end of Saturday's first session, GAA president Seán Kelly fundamentally questioned the role of full-time employees within the association and called for their monitoring.

Furthermore he floated the idea that a largely voluntary body such as the association might be exempted what he referred to as "the strictures" of employment law.

The issue was raised in the context of new rules, which will limit the length of time voluntary officials can serve both within their counties, provinces and at national level.

Kelly continued: "But while we have sensibly moved to limit the term in office of the voluntary official we have made no such proposals for the full-time officials. I know employment legislation constrains us unduly, and it is both wise and prudent to try and hold on to your best employees, but we need to take a good, hard objective look at this whole area before we move to employ more and more coaches, administrators and officials.

"Is it the role of a voluntary body to create career paths for employees? Can a case be made for an organisation whose players and officials are all voluntary to be exempted from some of the strictures that define full-time employment?

"Is it good practice to have all voluntary officials confined, rightly so, to a three to five-year term and have full-time officials in the same key decision-making positions for 10, 20 or possibly 30 years?

"Many State bodies and companies now confine their key decision-making personnel to a term of seven years or so. Should we consider doing likewise?

"At central level, our staff at Ard-Chómhairle level and Páirc an Chrócaigh Teoranta work hard and diligently. But we need similar practices in both areas. They are all employees of the GAA and no other distinction is required or acceptable.

"Heretofore and as of now, the Management Committee or more specifically, the Uachtarán is really the only elected official who is in a position to assess and support and monitor staff at central level. I have already discussed with the Management Committee the desirability of setting up an expert monitoring/support committee of representatives of management, some íar-uachtarán and other independent experts who would oversee relevant aspects relating to all staff at central level."

One group of employees singled out for positive attention was the teaching profession, of which Kelly himself is a member.

"It is absolutely vital for the GAA to stand four-square behind our teachers in these difficult times for the profession.

"The constant erosion of their status, challenging of their authority, nonsensical league tables and outlandish website ratings are all undermining a great profession that has done far more for the wellbeing of this country, and particularly for the wellbeing of the GAA than any other institution."

He went on to address an issue that has irritated the GAA since the ban on foreign games was abolished over 30 years ago. "The only downside is that there are a number of schools in this country where Gaelic games are not played or not allowed to be played and it is time we went knocking on the door and asked why. And then take the relevant action."

Commenting on relations with the GPA, the players' union, Kelly had this to say: "Now that we have received the report of the marketing committee and its recommendations re players, we can now sit down with the GPA and either decide to ignore them, tolerate them, or recognise them.

"I am not 100 per cent sure we know or that they know themselves, what their focus is but it's quite clear that while they may or may not represent all players, players do not want anyone else to represent them either.

"There are serious issues to be addressed and the establishment of clear demarcation lines re commercial activity and image rights are pivotal if progress is to be made."

Kelly also defended the GAA's plans to open bar facilities for all supporters at Croke Park.

"As most fans would only be coming to Croke Park when their own team is playing it is a safe bet that many of the fans are likely to drink more in one night in their local bar than in the entire year in Croke Park. Not allowing them the same facility that the corporate/premium sector enjoys, suggests they are in some way inferior and less responsible than our more affluent supporters."

On the subject of Croke Park, the president said he expected the stadium to install floodlights and a retractable roof in the future. He also suggested that the Canal End of the ground be named the Davin End in honour of the GAA's first president.

Another proposal was that special days be set aside on a rotating basis to enable Croke Park to be used by ordinary players and teams to give as many as possible the opportunity to play at the stadium.

Finally, on the subject of integration with the camogie and women's football organisations he said: "We are a family, community-based organisation. Integration will give expression and meaning in the most practical way to that reality."