Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern wants the GAA to make the Dublin stadium available as part of the joint Scottish-Irish bid for Euro 2008 but the association has so far rejected the overtures.

Kelly, who will take over from Sean McCague as GAA President next April, told the Irish Examiner that rank and file members should "keep an open mind" on the issue.

The Kerryman, using more conciliatory language than McCague's recent line on the Croke Park issue, said future consideration of the GAA's Rule 42 should be considered in the context of the country's "broad sporting community".

Kelly denied that his views were at odds with the present administration.

However, he said he would be concerned at any impression that the minds and doors of the GAA were firmly closed to other sports.

"I certainly see the issue back on the agenda at Congress," said Kelly.

"But next time, it would have to be part of a detailed package and not as an isolated motion.

"Issues such as precise FAI or IRFU requirements, the net financial gain for the GAA, what the extra resources accruing would be spent on and a built-in clause that Croke Park be treated as an isolated case, would have to be agreed before the motion could be entertained again," he said.

Kelly said that there needed to a "recognition of the GAA's traditions but also of the sporting environment in which we exist".

Uefa officials visited Croke Park on Monday as part of the inspection process involved in the joint Scottish-Irish bid for Euro 2008.