Gardaí angry at proposals for reduced pay but longer hours

Many rank-and-file gardaí are angry at proposed ros-ters which would see them working longer hours for reduced pay, in an effort by management to stretch a force which does not have adequate manpower.

They insist the proposed rosters, replacing a pilot scheme, would result in fewer officers on the beat and would impact on maintaining public order.

The pilot roster, introduced in April 2012, led to four regular units on shifts being increased to five, but with fewer gardaí per unit. The aim was to provide for an increased garda presence on the streets, especially at weekends. The task had been achieved by overlapping two units at peak times.