Niall Quinn has urged caution over All-Island League plans, insisting club wishes north of the border must be respected.
But the new interim deputy CEO of the FAI will make himself available for talks on a wide range of issues - even an All-Ireland international team if it came to it.
Quinn said yesterday: “I haven't put any work into that because the league is the bit that's out there now and how construction of that might look.
“And I'd rather have that conversation with counterparts up north to make sure we don't jump ahead of them.
“I'm a footballer, I love when our country is playing matches and winning and if there was a way both sides could get together and chat about that, my door is wide open.”
Kieran Lucid is continuing to drive plans for an All-Island League or at least the introduction of a new-look cross-border competition.
But the IFA told its clubs to steer clear last year and the concept appears to be fizzling out.
Quinn said yesterday: “We’ll listen to the clubs. What’s very important is that we don't jump ahead of our friends in Northern Ireland.
“If we’re doing stuff, we’re doing it together. Our Association must be respectful to the needs of the Association and the league up north.
“If it starts coming together and the clubs are coming to us with good feedback on that, we're here as an enabler to make that happen but only if it's wanted on all sides.
“If it's not going to happen, we’ll put all that energy into the League of Ireland.”
