You’re not invited to our conference, gardaí tell McDowell
It is the first time in recent history that the Justice Minister has not been invited to address the Garda Representative Association (GRA)’s annual conference.
The move reflects the depth of division between lower-ranking gardaí and the minister over the controversial reserve.
“We know, with great certainty, what the minister has to say on the matter,” said GRA president Dermot O’Donnell. “In light of that we have decided we are going to focus on the business in hand and that doesn’t allow for a further restating of the minister’s view, because we know it.”
He said that much, if not all, of the two-day conference on May 9 and 10 would be taken up with a debate on the reserve.
The GRA national executive has already adopted a policy of non-co-operation with the reserve along with the national executive of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI). Last week, delegates at the AGSI annual conference voted - albeit by a narrow margin - in favour of non-co-operation.
Mr O’Donnell said that the minister had repeated his position on several occasions. “We heard it at the AGSI conference, and that pretty much hasn’t changed from our previous meeting with him, and I was present for his address to the superintendents’ association conference and his position is as was,” said Mr O’Donnell.
The Association of Garda Superintendents backed the reserve at its conference.
Mr O’Donnell said the GRA had invited Mr McDowell as guest of honour to the conference banquet dinner on May 9.
Sources within the Department of Justice yesterday described the decision as “incredible”, saying it broke with a tradition of 30 years.
A spokeswoman for Mr McDowell said the minister regretted he wouldn’t be able to speak to delegates.
“He’s keen to talk directly to delegates and is sorry he won’t have that opportunity,” said the spokeswoman.
She added that he was considering whether to attend the dinner, but pointed out that he didn’t normally stay for social functions.
The minister said that as far as he knew it was the first time a Justice Minister hadn’t been invited.
