asked the Minister for Justice whether a claim for an increase in wages to members of the Garda Síochána with less than five years' service has been submitted; and what is the present position in the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Increased Pay Claim.
42.
A claim for increases in the pay rates for members of the Force up to the rank of Chief Superintendent, which were fixed on 1st November last and which were in accordance with an agreement of the Garda Conciliation Council, was submitted on 13th January, 1962, for consideration by the Conciliation Council.
The claim was discussed by the Council on 19th February and disagreement was recorded. On 9th March a written claim was submitted by the Garda Side to the Ministers for Justice and Finance for reference to the Arbitration Board, and a counterstatement was prepared by the Official Side. On 31st March, the Joint Representative Body for officers and other ranks, which is the authority under the Garda Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the nomination of the Members of the Force to represent them at arbitration proceedings, went out of office. Before that, the Representative Body for Guards had informed me that they felt that only Guards should appear in relation to claims for Guards at Conciliation and Arbitration proceedings.
In these circumstances it seems to me that the only practicable course to take is to have the Arbitration proceedings held-over until the three Representative Bodies for officers, non-commissioned officers and men have been elected and are in a position, separately, to nominate negotiators. The elections will take place early in June.