Vol. 422 No. 4
145 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice the reason allowances such as for (1) night duty (2) weekend and (3) public holiday working, are not allowed as an absolute part of a garda's income so that they can be regarded as reckonable for pension purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
146 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice if he has any proposals to rationalise the series of pay allowances to members of the Garda Síochána, including night-duty, weekend and public holiday allowances so as to make them reckonable for pension purposes, in line with other public servants pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.
The question of pensionability of payments for working unsocial hours is currently the subject of discussions, involving the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, at the Conciliation Council established under the Garda Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme. Under the provisions of the scheme the proceedings of the council are confidential and accordingly it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the matter.
