LAST UPDATE | 3 hrs ago

Niall O'Connor Reporting from Kilkenny

THE GROUP REPRESENTING rank and file gardaí have voted to take industrial action over the St Patrick’s festival in a dispute over allowances and pay.

The action will mean that gardaí will refuse to work as additional support to units already working. Much of the gardaí on the streets during the festival, across the country, are on duty using overtime meaning that there will be a policing shortage during large events including parades. 

They have also not ruled out taking “full action on the EU Presidency where nothing will be off the table” should the issues not be resolved. It is understood that would mean possible action during the major international event. 

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) met for a special delegates conference in Kilkenny today. 

The group discussed a number of motions at the meeting today but it has been decided by the delegates that voluntary overtime will be withdrawn for three days over St Patrick’s Day.  

The action will mean that gardaí will refuse to work as additional support to units already working. Much of the gardaí on the streets during the festival, across the country, are on duty using overtime. 

The motion, introduced to the conference by gardaí from Dublin, stated that the action will take place over three days on 16, 17 and 18 March.

Other motions that were passed at the meeting today gave the executive committee of the GRA permission to take “any action they deem necessary” to resolve the issues facing their members. 

GRA President Mark O’Meara said that members do not want to take the action but said that it is at the point where they must give members an opportunity to voice their frustrations.

“It is unfortunate that we as gardaí have to resort to fighting for basic rights and entitlements that have long been promised and been previously agreed.

“The ball is now firmly in the court of Ministers O’Callaghan and Chambers to fix these issues in order to avert any further action,” he said. 

Niall Hodgins, GRA Vice President, who is based in Dublin said that there have been a lack of co-operation and assistance for gardaí when raising issues with the Department of Justice and garda headquarters.

“We are now having a GUBU [Grotesque, Unbelievable, Bizarre and Unprecedented] moment. The culture of procrastination and disrespect within the organisation and in government departments is simply grotesque and unbelievable.

“The frustration of dealing with these people and the manner in which matters are continually kicked down the road is what has led us to the decisions that were made today,” he said. 

General Secretary Ronan Slevin laid the blame for the dispute at the Public Expenditure Department and the Department of Justice, who he said have not honoured previous pay agreements.

“Our members’ frustrations are blatantly obvious and any planned actions over the coming months will be a clear demonstration of that.

“The relevant government departments must honour our agreements and resolve these issues as a matter of urgency for the benefit of all concerned,” he added. 

Last April the GRA threatened to withdraw from key meetings with Garda management for when Ireland takes the EU presidency.

Ireland will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU for six months starting in July this year. During the presidency, Irish ministers will be required to chair up to 170 meetings of EU ministers.

An Garda Síochána has admitted that the policing operations will be hugely labour intensive.

It is understood that the GRA had considered threatening industrial action during the Presidency but that this will now be discussed in April at their annual delegate conference which will take place in Westport, Mayo.