andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Justice what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the general body of the Garda Síochána will be given an opportunity of selecting and approving of any new negotiating machinery to be devised.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Negotiating Machinery.
123.
Suggestions with regard to changes in the existing machinery for enabling members of the Force to make representations on matters affecting their welfare have been sought and obtained from the Representative Bodies representing the various ranks of the Force. The bodies will be further consulted before any changes are made.
The Garda Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme which was agreed to in June, 1959, by the Garda Representative Bodies on the one hand and the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Finance on the other hand, provides that the scheme may be changed by agreement between the Representative Bodies and the Ministers. Proposals for changes in the scheme have been received from the Representative Bodies and are at present being examined.