asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that little or no overtime is being granted to gardaí in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter in the light of the Conroy Commission Report.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Garda Conditions.
48.
I am informed by the Commissioner that where overtime working is necessary for the performance of essential duty this is authorised and is compensated for in accordance with arrangements made in implementation of the recommendations of the Conroy Commission.
Is it not a fact that many Garda Superintendents and other officers in charge of staff are reluctant to implement those aspects of the Conroy Commission in respect of overtime in particular, because of a belief that the Minister's Department do not condone these recommendations? Is it not true also that this is another contributory factor to the lack of Garda activity and to the growing incidence of crime that we hear so much of? Will he not agree that this stems from a niggardly attitude on the part of the Minister and his Department?
The statement by the Deputy to the effect that the recommendations of the Conroy Commission are not being implemented is ludicrous. Every important recommendation of the commission has been implemented, most of them have been in effect for the past eight or nine months. The few recommendations not yet implemented are of comparatively little importance and affect only a small number of members of the Force. The Deputy seems to imply in his question and in his supplementary that there is an obligation to give overtime as it were and to pay for overtime. I cannot accept that. It is not a recommendation of the Conroy Commission. There was no question whatever of granting overtime. In cases where it is necessary to work overtime, the Conroy Commission suggested that the overtime be paid for if it could not be compensated for within the following three months. In practice, that is done.
Is it not true that there is clear evidence of a reluctance on the part of Garda supervisors to work overtime even when it is necessary to do so because of costs? In order to save money is it not the position that the existing Garda force is being used only and that, in conformity with the Conroy Commission Report, this means that only a quarter of the existing force is available for duty at any given time? The Minister is doing nothing to supplement the Force.
That sort of stupid nonsense does not deserve a reply.