Gardaí could walk out on Croke Park II talks

Rank-and-file gardaí could follow their medium-ranking colleagues out of the Croke Park II talks within a matter of days.

The executive of the Garda Representative Association, which represents 11,000 gardaí below the rank of sergeant, will meet on Wednesday to discuss the cost-saving measures presented to it by the Government as it seeks to achieve €1bn in cuts to the public service pay bill.

Following a meeting of its national executive yesterday, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, which has about 2,000 members, confirmed it was pulling out of talks after the Government had sought, among other things, one extra working hour per day; reduced overtime pay; elimination of twilight hours and Saturday allowance; and a reduction of Sunday and public holiday allowances.