Strike calls amid claims gardaí are living in ‘poverty’

The Dáil has been urged to support calls for gardaí to be allowed to strike for better pay, after claims some officers are living in “poverty” and need social welfare supports just to survive.

TDs from across the political spectrum revealed the concerns during a debate on a new bill which seeks to allow Defence Force personnel to take industrial action in certain circumstances.

The potential legislation was put forward by Labour backbencher and Clare TD Michael McNamara in a bid to draw attention to a continuing row between Government and the EU over whether people working as gardaí or soldiers can strike.