Garda body to discuss strike

The leadership of the body representing mid-ranking gardaí is to outline industrial relations options to delegates at a meeting on Monday.

The Association of Garda Sergeants & Inspectors (AGSI) is holding a special delegate conference in Athlone at which it will decide if it should join frontline gardaí in action, up to and including strike.

This includes the possibility of withdrawing its members’ labour on the same dates as members of the Garda Representative Association (GRA): November 4, 11, 18, and 25.

AGSI leaders put in a 16.5% pay restoration claim with Tánaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald in a meeting on October 4.

The AGSI national executive met on Thursday, at which they agreed to update delegates on contacts with the Department of Justice.

Sources said the leadership will “listen to the voice of the membership” at the conference. The industrial relations options will be outlined to delegates. Their decisions will “guide” the national executive on the best response.

Sources in Garda HQ have described the prospect of the AGSI’s 2,000 members joining the 10,500 members of the GRA as a “nightmare scenario”.

It would leave just 210 superintendents and chief superintendents and 529 probationary gardaí on duty.

They could be supported by 450 students in Templemore Training College and up to 789 Garda Reserves, giving a maximum of around 1,970.

HQ sources have said that even with sergeants and inspectors on duty, services would be dramatically cut.

Contingency plans being drawn up by Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan will have to wait until AGSI’s decision is known.

GRA leaders have already indicated they will assist in providing “emergency cover” on strike dates. This could involve the staffing of dispatch sections in Command & Control (999) centres and the staffing of certain units, such as the Emergency Response Unit and Regional Support Units.