Vol. 509 No. 1
97 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the proposed pay and productivity deal for members of the Garda Síochána; the situation regarding the proposed introduction of new rosters in the main urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19732/99]
I was very disappointed to learn, yesterday, of the rejection by the membership of the Garda Representative Association, GRA, of the recommendations of the adjudication board on the final phase of the local bargaining clause of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work.
The pay element of the adjudication board's recommendations, which included substantial retrospection, was a very significant award and was linked to productivity elements identified and agreed in discussions between management and the GRA, including proposals for new fostering arrangements in designated urban areas. It should, also, be remembered that the award is in addition to the interim pay deal valued at 9 per cent which was agreed with the association last year and which included an advance payment of 2 per cent on future productivity.
I believe the leadership of the GRA is as aware as I am of the extent to which the Government has gone to try to resolve the Garda pay issue and, indeed, the association's central executive committee recommended acceptance of the recommendations of the adjudication board to its members. I must categorically state that the Government cannot go beyond the adjudication award and I would strongly urge the GRA to review its position and, like the vast majority of the public service employees, accept the pay settlement within the parameters of the PCW, which in this case is the adjudication award.
As guardians of the public interest and in fairness to all employees who have resolved their claims under the PCW, the Government is not prepared to contemplate any improvement on that award.
