Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 June 2013
26. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has held any recent meeting with the Garda Representative Association or the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors to discuss their publicly aired concerns regarding policing here. [28243/13]
View answerI am always available to meet with either AGSI, the GRA or the other Garda representative associations to discuss with them issues of concern to them and to their members. In fact, I met with AGSI on 19 October 2012 for nearly two hours in a constructive and businesslike meeting. I spoke at their conference earlier this year and I also spoke at the annual Conference of the Association of Garda Superintendents. In addition to this, there are ongoing discussions between the Commissioner and his senior management and all the Garda Associations on day to day matters as they arise in the Garda Síochána.
There have also of course been the recent negotiations on an extension to the Croke Park Agreement, or as it is known, the Haddington Road Agreement. The aim was and remains to achieve the necessary savings in the public sector pay and pensions bill while at the same time ensuring a fair contribution from all. As part of this agreement it is proposed that a Review of the Garda Síochána will be undertaken.
The review shall encompass all aspects of the operation and administration of the Garda Síochána including:
- the structure, organisation and staffing of the Garda Síochána;
- the deployment of members and civilian staff to relevant and appropriate roles;
- the remuneration and conditions of service of members of the Garda Síochána, including an evaluation of annualised hours/shift pay arrangements;
- the appropriate structured and mechanism for the future resolution of matters relating to pay, industrial relations and attendance matters.
In this regard, I look forward to the full cooperation of all the associations in completing the review, which will conclude no later than 1 June 2014.
