Dr Mary McAleese has stepped down as chairperson of the Integration Committee overseeing the amalgamation of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association.
It comes after the GAA told the steering group that it could not commit to the definitive timeline for integration.
McAleese, who served president of Ireland between 1997 and 2011, was appointed by the GAA in September 2022 to serve as the independent chairperson of the integration process between the three associations.
The three bodies had committed to achieving integration by 2027 and had agreed to hold Special Congresses next month to enable the creation of one membership of one association from April next year.
However, the GAA wrote to the group yesterday, requesting time to pause and reflect on the process.
The GAA told the steering group that it wished to reconsider the approach with greater focus on equity rather than equality.
RTÉ Sport understands the GAA’s proposal was to extend the process by up to five years and that they remain fully committed to integration.
A statement issued on behalf of Dr McAleese said the change creates significant uncertainty around the previously agreed and publicly announced roadmap.
She added that in her view the roadmap was now effectively blocked and no alternative pathway offered.
McAleese reaffirmed her strong support for the integration of all Gaelic games and her belief that there is an overwhelmingly will of the memberships of all three associations to complete the integration.
Her appointment to the role came on the back of the GAA Congress in February 2022 giving the green light towards taking urgent action on unification, with dialogue subsequently beginning between the GAA and those involved in amalgamating Irish sport organisations with similar structures to the three Gaelic Games bodies.