Vol. 489 No. 6
586 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the disappointment among members of the Garda Representative Association at the offer made to them on 1 April 1998; if he will state the terms of the offer; the way in which he will proceed in order to ensure that the Garda Representative Association claim for a salary increase is adequately met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9018/98]
587 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to secure a revised pay offer for members of the Garda Síochána which recognises the excellent work carried out in sometimes difficult circumstances. [9194/98]
588 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will secure a just and fair pay increase settlement to the Garda Síochána in recognition of the excellent work carried out by them; when he will meet with the Department of Finance in relation to this problem. [9360/98]
606 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding pay talks with the Garda Síochána; and the Government's position in this regard. [8913/98]
610 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the results, if any, of his discussions with the Garda Representative Association; and the response, if any, of the Association who feel they have been treated shabbily in the current pay talks. [9007/98]
615 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reopen negotiations with the Garda Representative Association on the question of its requested pay increase; if he will outline the Government's views on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9186/98]
622 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to secure a revised pay offer for members of the Garda Síochána which recognises the excellent work carried out by them. [9202/98]
624 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures, if any, he is taking in order to secure a just and fair settlement to the pay increase sought by the Garda Síochána; if he has negotiated with Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance on this issue to date; and, if so, when this occurred. [9336/98]
625 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether he is obliged to negotiate in the interest of the Garda force in view of the excellent work carried out by them in sometimes difficult circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9337/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 586, 587, 588, 606, 610, 615, 622, 624 and 625 together.
Discussions between official and staff representatives on Garda pay have taken place, under the chairmanship of Mr. Declan Brennan, with a view to reaching a settlement which would be in accord with national pay policy as set out in the various national pay agreements culminating in Partnership 2000. Earlier this month, at separate meetings between the official side and the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors a pay offer was made which was subject to ongoing discussions on productivity and savings. This offer was rejected by the staff side. The Garda Representative Association is seeking a pay increase of the order of 39 per cent.
At the end of last week the official side responded positively to a proposal from the chairman which would have involved an improvement in the offer to both associations on the condition that the proposed industrial action would be deferred and the associations would return to the pay discussions. However, the Garda Representative Association has rejected the offer, while the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has agreed to defer its industrial action and to resume discussions with the official side.
The Association of Garda Superintendents and the Association of Chief Superintendents are also participating in the pay discussions.
I have made it clear in my meetings with the gardaí that I accept their important role in our society as guardians of the peace. However, they must also accept that pay should be dealt with fairly in accordance with the standards which apply to other groups in this society. This standard has been set in negotiations at national level between the social partners and is set out in the various national agreements and in Partnership 2000.
