Without doubt the motions which have captured practically all of the attention in the lead up to the Congress scheduled for Sligo in a fortnight's time, have been those which are concerned with the grants issue.

This long running controversy which has become a very divisive issue will come to a head with the debate on the motions that have made it through to the clar.

The key motion will be that presented by Central Council and this is worded as follows,

"That Congress is satisfied that the scheme proposed by the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism to recognise the contribution of senior intercounty GAA players, and additional costs associated with enhancing team performance, in the form presented to Congress, is in accordance with Rule 11 of the Official Guide and that Congress approves the introduction and implementation of the scheme."

This motion will have the support of Central Council, that of the president and the ardstiurthoir and the management committee and as such it will obviously carry a lot of clout. Judging by the past record of such motions it is a strong probability that it will be carried.

But against that there remains a robust body of grass roots opinion who are vehemently opposed to the grants issue and their opposition continues to be extremely vocal and forceful.

Two other motions dealing with the controversial issue will come to the floor, both from Derry.

The first is worded, "That the GAA shall not administer the payment of grants or awards to any player within the Association."

The second is, "That Cumann Luthcleas Gael shall not be party to the Government Grant Scheme until and unless a motion is placed before Congress to amend Rule 11 and such a motion were passed."

There will be intense interest focussed on this debate on an issue which goes right to the core of the GAA ethos and it could well be the case that even if the Central Council motion is passed, the battle would not be conceded by those who view this move as one which would have a catastrophic impact on the Association.

OTHER MOTIONS

There is a range of other motions which though they are overshadowed by the grants debate, are nevertheless concerned with important administrative matters.

One of these is a request that counties be allowed derogate from the five year rule for their provincial and Ard Comhairle delegates.

There is also a motion seeking to reintroduce the football qualifier system that pertained before 2007. This is in effect seeking to permit all counties to enter the back door.

At the moment NFL Division Four teams who are eliminated from their provincial championship must enter the Tommy Murphy Cup instead of having a second chance in the championship. A switch in the timing of the All Ireland finals is also proposed. The hurling decider to be on the third Sunday of August, the football showpiece on the first Sunday of September.

In league competitions to avoid the need for play off scenarios, that the result between the two relevant teams be the deciding factor where they finish level in league competition.

There is also a motion calling for the mandatory use of helmets in hurling from January 1st 2010.