Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Pictured (LtoR) Tony Ferris from Wexford and Michael Corcoran from Cork City who are members of the Garda Representative Association, protest outside Landowne House. Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
Garda

GRA: No option but to register Garda anger through protest

The Garda Representative Association said that it is “disingenuous” of Minister Shatter to mention them re-entering talks when they “have always been excluded” from the main pay talks.

THE GARDA REPRESENTATIVE Association has said that its members have no option but to register their anger through protest.

They also called Minister Alan Shatter “disingenuous” for his comments on them re-entering talks.

The GRA’s comments came a day after the Justice Minister described Thursday’s picket by members of the association outside talks on reaching a new public pay agreement as “a bad day for the force”.

The GRA said today that it stands over its position on the current issues affecting the Force.

Despite the Minister for Justice’s assertions, at no time have gardaí been allowed into the main pay talks, but have always been sidelined in another meeting room and provided with irregular briefings on progress in the pay talks. This is not acceptable in modern industrial relations, and harks back to a bygone era. The Garda Representative Association is denied union status; and only trade unions affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions have a voice in the pay talks.

It also said that at no stage did any member of the Garda Representative Association insult An Taoiseach, but acknowledged that the central executive committee of the GRA did pass a vote of no confidence in the Minister on Thursday 14 February.

This is the first time that the GRA has ever passed such a motion, and reflects the dissatisfaction and growing dismay at the way in which the Force is being systematically dismantled.

General Secretary PJ Stone said that it is “disingenuous of the Minister to talk about our members re-entering talks when he knows full well that we have always been excluded from the main pay talks”.

Stone continued:

Until such a time where a positive development is given due consideration, our members have no other option but to register their anger and frustration through legitimate peaceful placard protest and the turning off of the goodwill tap that has sustained the Force through a period of under-resourcing.

Members of the GRA said yesterday they were “turning off the goodwill tap” in protest at proposed cuts to their pay, while the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said that its members have begun similar actions.

Read: GRA protest at pay talks ‘a bad day’ for Garda reputation: Shatter>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
97
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.