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Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.
# Garda cuts
Garda Commissioner to meet GRA as plans for industrial action get underway
The GRA said plans are in place for members to “turn off the goodwill tap” from 22 February if the government refuses to budge on pay cut proposals.
GARDA COMMISSIONER MARTIN Callinan is due to meet with the Garda Representative Association (GRA) as the body gears up to launch its first action against proposed cuts to garda pay.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie this morning, President of the GRA John Parker said he was not aware of any time or date set for a meeting with the Commissioner but said the GRA was “ready and willing to attend any meeting”.
Following a meeting yesterday, the GRA released a strongly worded statement declaring it had no confidence in Minister for Justice Alan Shatter and questioning how in touch Callinan is with his force.
Parker said today that the general executive also agreed that members will employ a number of measures from 22 February which would involve “turning off the goodwill tap”, if the government pushes forward with its plans.
“The officer of the Commissioner has traditionally done what government has asked of them,” he said. “Members are now asking to be represented by the GRA but also asking management at all levels to stand up for them and speak out.”
Parker said the removal of goodwill would involve gardaí rolling back the extra tasks they take on as they “stop going beyond the call of duty”.
“It could progress to a strict work to rule in a short period of time with voluntary issues that don’t breach the Croke Park agreement,” Parker said today. “If it isn’t give and take on both sides then we’ll remove the give on our side.”
Both the Commissioner and Minister Shatter are due to be involved in the passing out ceremony for a group of garda reservists in the Templemore Garda College later today.
Related: Garda body passes motion of no confidence in Shatter>
More: GRA national executive meeting to ‘consider all options’ following votes for industrial action>
