ANNUAL REPORT:IN HIS first presentation of the director general's annual report - despite being only a month in office - Páraic Duffy has called for a more temperate tone to the debate on the Government awards scheme, saying he was concerned at the hostility being directed at intercounty players.

"We have to be very careful in debating issues surrounding grants and amateur status that it doesn't come across at any time as being anti-player," he told yesterday's media briefing at Croke Park.

"We should respect the huge efforts our players put in, in terms of the time they give to training, to playing of the games and (the impact on) their personal lives. That's one thing I would feel quite strongly about.

"We must always recognise that there are different views amongst players. I believe the majority of our players are utterly committed to amateur status. They play our games because they want to be a part of the GAA.

"They enjoy what they do and they want the association to remain as it always has been - an association that's strong at community level and county level. They're not in the business of destroying our amateur status. It's important to remind ourselves of that."

Duffy was expanding on a section in his report dealing with the issue of players but which also points out that respectful debate is a two-way process.

"There are also responsibilities on the GPA. Use of the strike threat does nothing to develop a relationship with administrators, or to allay the concerns of the wider membership. Nor is it helpful to use dismissive or intemperate language towards those who hold a contrary view on player-related issues. Developing a constructive relationship with the whole association requires an acceptance of responsibilities as well as an insistence on rights."

But he was at pains to emphasise that the role of the Gaelic Players Association had to accepted for what it was, a group representative of the top players.

"In order that a more harmonious and fruitful relationship develop, it is important that all groups and individuals involved in this relationship recognise a certain number of realities. Our officials must accept that a group representing intercounty players exists and will continue to exist.

"There is a need, therefore, to develop a relationship with the GPA that is in the best interests of the association as a whole . . . It is worth remembering that several of our Iar-Uachtaráin, and current incumbent, Nioclás Ó Braonain, are former elite intercounty players."

The context of the comments was the continuing debate on the players' awards scheme and the question of amateur status within the GAA. Duffy, who was an architect of the agreement reached between players, Croke Park and the Government, defended it against current criticisms.

"Much of the debate, in recent months, has focused on the issue of the Government scheme to recognise players. Clearly, there are genuine concerns among many of our members, who perceive the scheme to be a threat to our amateur status.

"It is just as valid, however, to see it as an attempt by Government to recognise the contribution of our players to our native games and culture while upholding our amateur status through that method of reimbursement.

"It is certainly difficult to see it as a greater threat to our amateur status than the report of the 1997 committee on amateur status which allowed players to write articles and books, to appear as guest panellists on radio and television programmes, to be paid for same, and to accept income from product endorsement."

Asked about the final document detailing how the scheme would work, which will be presented to Central Council next Monday and if approved, placed before next month's Congress, Duffy insisted it would not infringe the association's rules on amateur status.

"I want to make this point: it will clearly be seen to be in compliance with Rule 11."

GAA president Nickey Brennan was non-committal when asked whether there are plans to redraft a motion for Congress should the Disputes Resolution Authority decide that the scheme requires a change to Rule 11.

"We'll let the DRA do what they have to do," he said. "It may be that we will have some course of action to take but it would be wrong to pre-empt the outcome of the hearing."

Other issues dealt with by the new director general included the urbanisation of society and the challenge posed by Dublin in particular, the national strategic plan, which he identified as a priority, he hopes to have ready by the end of April, as well as plans for the celebration of the GAA's 125th anniversary next year.

Retired director general Liam Mulvihill contributed a short passage to the annual report that he had presented for the previous 29 years.

Although some had anticipated a lengthier reminiscence on his three decades in charge, Mulvihill satisfied himself with little more than a cursory page.

Both he and outgoing media officer Danny Lynch were paid tributes by Duffy in his report, thanking them for their many years of distinguished service.

Brennan also announced that two new executive positions would be advertised over the coming weeks: a director of communications to replace Lynch, who retires this year, and a new role of director of human resources.