Vol. 521 No. 5
147 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the consultation which took place with Garda pensioners regarding the pensionability of Garda allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17717/00]
The Garda conciliation and arbitration scheme, which is similar to schemes operating elsewhere in the public service, provides for a conciliation council and an arbitration board for pay and other specified conditions of service of members of all ranks of the Garda Síochána up to and including the rank of chief superintendent. The scheme has provided a valuable mechanism for the garda representative bodies to pursue claims for improvements in pay and conditions.
While the Garda Síochána Retired Members' Association is not a party to the scheme, my departmental officials are in regular contact with representatives of the association and meet with them when required to discuss matters of concern to their members.
In so far as pensionability of allowances is concerned I refer the Deputy to the reply by the Minister for Finance to Question No. 121 on 25 November, 1998 (Official Report Columns 701 and 702).
