asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that recent issues of Iris an Gharda have contained many criticisms as to the pay, allowances and other conditions of service of the Garda Síochána and suggestions as to how these matters could be improved; and if he will reconcile this with his recent statement that no suggestions as to such matters have ever been made to any Minister for Justice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Criticisms in “Iris An Gharda”.
179.
I am aware that issues of Iris an Gharda have from time to time contained criticisms as to the pay, allowances and other conditions of service of the Garda Síochána and suggestions as to how these matters could be improved. With regard to the second part of the question I should like to read the relevant portion of the recent statement issued by the Government Information Bureau on my behalf as it seems to me that the Deputy cannot have read it very carefully.
I have received suggestions from a number of quarters to the effect that I should institute an inquiry into the workings of the negotiating machinery available to members of the Garda Síochána. It may well be that the present arrangements for the determination of claims and proposals relating to the pay, allowances and other conditions of service of the Garda Síochána could be improved.
Prior to last week, however, no such suggestion has ever been made to the Minister for Justice . . .
Prior to when?
Last week.
How many issues did contain statements of grievances and suggestions for improvement? Surely for four months back there was every indication?
My reference is not to grievances; it is to the workings of the negotiating machinery.
Is it not a fact that several numbers of Iris an Gharda contained several suggestions for improvement in the machinery?
No.
They did.
They did not.
Would the Minister, in the course of the examination of the machinery, take early steps to ensure that there will be available to the representative body, or to whatever body represents the Garda, an arbitration board before which they can bring their claim for improved pay immediately and that that body will be available to adjudicate upon the claim at an early date? There is no use in saying to the Garda—I take it the Minister will accept this—"You will go to arbitration but you cannot have your case heard for four or six months." That is not genuine arbitration.
And that is not a question.
The only comment I can make is that the last award did not go to arbitration at all; it was settled very quickly at conciliation level. I hope all future matters will be settled at conciliation level.
Is the Minister aware that the last claim would have gone to arbitration, if the representative body had thought they could get a speedy hearing? It was fear that they could not get a hearing for four to six months that induced them to settle.
I reject that completely.
They will tell you that themselves.
That is not so.