Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2016
107. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an exemption for members of An Garda Síochána who had their increments frozen (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19655/16]
View answerMy officials and I have had discussions with the Garda Representative Association (GRA) over the last number of weeks aimed at facilitating their engagement with the Lansdowne Road Agreement. Unfortunately, as of now the GRA remains outside the Agreement. The members of the GRA have exercised their democratic mandate and I respect their right to do so, however, the decision not to become party to the Agreement has consequences for the members of the GRA.
In particular, as of 1 July, members of the GRA are subject to an increment freeze under section 7(1) of Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2013, as amended. No-one wishes to impose an increment freeze on members of An Garda Síochána, or indeed on any other public servant, but it is the law. We must also, of course, be fair to the vast bulk of public servants who have accepted the Agreement and are cooperating with its terms. This group includes the Associations representing Superintendents and Chief Superintendents in An Garda Síochána. The other Garda representative body, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) decided last week to re-ballot their membership with a recommendation to accept the Agreement. I very much welcome that decision by AGSI and their members will not be subject to any increment freeze while that ballot is in train.
In the context of discussions with AGSI aimed at addressing their concerns, a pathway to restoring the rent allowance - worth €4,155 annually to new recruits - before the end of this year was agreed in principle. Those provisions will become operative if and when the GRA comes within the Lansdowne Road Agreement. I know that the restoration of the rent allowance is something that the GRA has advocated for on behalf of new recruits and I know it to be a major issue for new recruits. That allowance, the requirement to work additional hours under the Haddington Road Agreement, access to the industrial relations machinery of the State, and the opportunity for the GRA to negotiate the pay of its members on an equal footing with other Unions and Associations in the public service, are all on the table for discussion, as soon as the GRA is in a position to enter talks with my Department.
I genuinely believe that it would be in the best interests of their members and An Garda Síochána as a whole for the GRA to engage with my Department. It is only through talking that their concerns can be addressed. I believe there is a pathway to progress on these issues and my Department and I remain available to work with the GRA.
