In a nutshell our problem in the GPA is quite simple. The government has committed 5m to GAA players, it has been set aside already but the GAA and the government cannot agree on a mechanism to draw the funding down. The GAA don't want anything to do with it and the government is insisting the GAA distribute these funds because they feel they could leave themselves open to calls from other codes. We can't access it because of the politics and bureaucracy at play and we are fed up and everyone will soon realise that.

We've talked for five years now and have put forward a solution. The Irish Sports Council could administer it like they do for athletes in numerous other codes and it could be ring fenced on the basis this is our national game and it would be a cultural contribution made to players. It's not so much about the money either, rather a recognition of our status and the application of players.

There's a similar type of grant administered by the department of arts, sport and tourism. That gives a benefit to artists, poets and musicians and they receive funding for their contribution to culture. If our players are recognised in this way it will safeguard the future of our national sport because it's perilously close to action that could damage the game.

We haven't set a deadline yet for this to be sorted out because we are in the process of conducting a series of provincial meetings and we will have the final one in Connacht tomorrow night. We have been explaining the position to the players about the current impasse and testing the waters on our next move because the bottom line is, this campaign began way back around the All Ireland final of 2002 when Minister McCreevy introduced very lucrative tax breaks for professional athletes and there were none made for amateurs. And I don't expect it to be any different in Connacht because everywhere we have gone, and I'm not exaggerating when I say this, it's very very militant and players are very angry, frustrated and cannot understand that this has been allowed to go on for so long. It's ludicrous.

The talk is of strike and that's very real. Last year after the EGM back in April we conducted a protest that resulted in a 15-minute delay to the starting time of National League games and that was just symbolic. Players are not talking of symbolic protests now and there aren't too many alternatives to strike and nearly every one of the players seems happy with that action. I have given people good warning and telling them the mood was turning and the players were ready to do something significant.

Players themselves have been saying there is too much talk and now is the time to put up or shut up. We want to engage with the GAA and government but given the mood, I think the players realise the time has come to show they are no longer a toothless tiger. And everyone knows there is a credibility issue and to date we haven't been taken seriously and when there are no intercounty players there for games, then they'll realise we mean business. We are talking about 92 per cent signed up and a strike will be hugely disruptive. It wouldn't be a case of a couple of players missing here and there. It will be done collectively and while it is not what we want because we love the game, the time for talking is nearly up and the players are close to striking. Very close.

Finally, here's a question for the GAA and Nickey Brennan. When there is a great deal of support from them, why is there a great deal of inaction? They had no issue when it came to taking money to further themselves such as developing Thurles and Portlaoise. They were quickly down to the bank then. But they would want to act with similar urgency on this issue too.