asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been directed to reports to the effect that certain members of the Garda have circularised their colleagues with a request not to cooperate in the new organisation known as Coisde Siamsa until pay claims have been satisfied; if such circular has been issued and posted in certain mess-rooms of the Gardaí; if such circular has been taken down where posted on the grounds that it is illegal and insubordinate; and, if so, by what authority it has been declared that a request not so to co-operate in a voluntary association is either illegal or insubordinate.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Sports Organisation.
63.
The information in the newspaper reports in question was inaccurate. The position is as follows:
An anonymous communication in an official-franked envelope addressed to the "Mess Committee" was received in Garda stations in Dublin city on 22nd June. The communication was posted-up in 10 of the 25 stations. It did not purport to express the views of anybody other than the anonymous person who signed it "X".
In the opinion of the Garda authorities, the wording of the communication was prejudicial to discipline and likely to bring discredit to the reputation of the Force and it was removed from the notice boards.