Shatter refuses invite to address gardaí
A spokeswoman for the minister said he had a commitment to keep on Monday evening, the time he was due to speak at the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors conference in Killarney.
The spokeswoman pointed out that the minister also had to travel to Luxembourg early on Tuesday morning to attend a meeting of EU defence ministers.
The AGSI recently received notification from Mr Shatter’s office declining the invitation.
The association declined to comment on the minister’s decision not to attend, apart from pointing out that the conference is held every year on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Easter week.
Passover, also known as Pesach, follows the Hebrew calendar, which changes every year. This year it starts on April 14 and runs until the 22nd. The festival begins after dark on the Monday, when the minister’s address was scheduled.
In a statement, Mr Shatter’s spokeswoman said: “Minister Shatter is unable to attend as Jewish Passover commences on Monday evening and he has a commitment to keep. He travels to Luxembourg early Tuesday morning to attend a meeting of EU defence ministers.”
She pointed out that the minister did attend the Superintendents’ Association Conference this week, at which he spoke to delegates and, afterwards, the media.
This year’s non-appearance follows a frosty reception afforded to the minister by AGSI delegates at last year’s conference.
The minister wasn’t even invited to attend last year’s conference of the Garda Representative Association.
Meanwhile, in a novel departure for Garda commissioners, the interim police boss is hosting a question and answer session with delegates on Tuesday.
This is seen as part of a fresh approach from interim commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan, who has admitted she wants the job. The Government has put the position out to an open competition.
The vacancy follows the shock retirement of former commissioner Martin Callinan, who opposition leaders claim was “effectively sacked” from his job by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
