LAST UPDATE | 16 Mar

A GARDA GROUP has called for its members to “show solidarity” with a campaign for industrial action over St Patrick’s Day holiday events. 

A special delegate conference of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) voted on 11 February that its members would not take overtime work on scheduled days off on 16, 17 and 18 March in a protest over allowances and pay.

The action means 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. This means that there will be a policing shortage during large events, including parades, if the protest takes hold. 

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 this would mean possible action during the major international event. 

As there are not enough gardaí in the organisation to cover needs, the force uses overtime to meet the demands of events like the St Patrick’s Day festival.

They will likely have to do similar for the upcoming EU presidency and visits by international dignitaries. 

In recent days the GRA, which represents rank and file gardaí, has issued a memo, seen by The Journal, to its members.

In the short document it quotes the motion that was voted on at the conference and said that the action was as a result of “the bad faith in Govt departments (DPER)”. 

DPER refers to the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. 

The missive also states that gardaí should be aware of the legislation governing working time hours and the rules around how rest days in An Garda Síochána can only be altered with the consent of the individual garda. 

It is understood that the Dublin St Patrick’s Day Festival has been declared an “extraordinary event”. This allows the Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly to cancel rest days and direct some uniformed gardaí to work on their days off. 

“Outside of an extraordinary event declaration management cannot direct members to work on a rest day. 

So for absolute clarity, members cannot be directed to perform duty on a rest day unless an extraordinary event has been declared for that day.

“It is vital that all members recognise the importance of showing solidarity with the Conference’s decision,” the document states. 

It is understood that because of the extraordinary event classification for the Dublin event, many gardaí in the capital will have to work on their days off. 

But outside of Dublin there is no such declaration, so the protest can take place unhindered in the rest of the country.

This will mean that only on-duty gardaí will work over the three days, if members abide by their representative association’s motion. The duty would involve the working units covering both parades and taking calls for help from the public.

In a statement garda headquarters said that it was satisfied that there would be “sufficient resources” for the events. 

“Where necessary, as would be normal for every St Patricks Weekend and other large events, extraordinary events have been declared in line with the Midlands Working Time Agreement which means that shifts have been altered and Gardaí are working directed overtime.

“The Garda Commissioner, and Senior Garda management appreciates the services of all members of An Garda Síochána and Garda staff who are working over the Bank Holiday festivities; they do not get the opportunity to celebrate St Patricks Day with their families or friends and are working long tours keeping people safe all over the country,” a statement read. 

A comment has been requested from Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan.  

The GRA said it would not be commenting on the action until it is concluded.