Vol. 470 No. 1
93 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Justice whether she has met with the groups involved in the ongoing dispute in the Garda Representative Association since the publication of legislation on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18445/96]
Following its publication, a copy of the Bill was sent to the groups involved in the dispute i.e. the Garda Representative Association, the Garda Federation and the representatives of four Garda divisions who, while still members of the GRA, are not full participants in the affairs of that organisation.
I met all three groups separately on 21 May 1996 to discuss the terms of the Bill. I subsequently received written submission from the Garda Federation and from the representatives of the four Garda divisions.
In so far as the GRA is concerned, the Deputy will be aware that High Court proceedings are pending in relation to, inter alia, regulations which I made, with the approval of Government, entitled “Garda Síochána (Association) (Amendment) Regulations, 1996” which deal with the holding of district committee elections of the association. The proceedings also concern the adoption by the association at a special delegate conference in July 1996 of a revised constitution and rules which seek to incorporate certain provisions of the Garda Síochána Bill, 1996.
