Garda drop-in clinics idea ‘an insult’
The relationship between gardaí and the Government is set to become even more strained after one association warned it might take industrial action if the Taoiseach carried out his threat to bring in further payroll cuts by legislation.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors hit out at Enda Kenny for “shaking a big stick” at hard-pressed gardaí and said members would make their feelings known “very vociferously”.
AGSI general secretary John Redmond accused Justice Minister Alan Shatter of adding “insult to injury” by launching a community prevention programme booklet on the very day 95 rural stations were being closed.
He said the proposal to introduce Garda clinics as a replacement in affected areas was “an insult” to gardaí and citizens.
“If we are to go down the road of ‘drop-in clinics’ for policing in Ireland then we are essentially saying to the criminal ‘please make a date with crime,’” said Mr Redmond.
Speaking earlier on RTÉ radio, he said his association would oppose any attempts by the Government to cut €60m from the Garda payroll bill over the next three years.
Government proposals suggest the savings could come from a range of areas:
- €16m from a lower flat rate payment for overtime
- €5.7m from a standard working day of 8am to 8pm
- €9.7m from premium allowances
- €4.3m from cutting Saturday allowances
- €31m from halving Sunday and public holiday pay
- €13m from cutting night duty payments
- €1.4m from ending the Good Friday allowance
Mr Redmond said his members had already taken cuts amounting to 25% of their pay and that “absolutely” no more could be taken. He said industrial action was a possibility if the Government forced the cuts through.
The Garda Representative Association said their members had told them they could not take any further reduction in pay or changes to their employment contracts.
GRA president John Parker said the association’s executive would meet next Monday to discuss the matter.
“Our members cannot pay their loans and mortgages,” said Mr Parker. “This is not about choice; pay cuts are not an option.”
