Pay issue set to dominate closing day of garda conference

The thorny issue of pay looks set to dominate the final day of the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) in Galway today.

Delegates will discuss motions of pay cuts and pensions in light of the deal struck between Government and union officials yesterday.

The Government has agreed not to impose any further pay cuts on public servants until 2014, in exchange for wide-ranging reform of the public sector.

General Secretary of the AGSI Joe Dirwan is hopeful his members will support the deal.

"When you endure a savage pay cut of 14%... You would want to see it being reversed immediately," Mr Dirwan said.

"But that's not on offer.

"I believe the general membership, having considered the thing, and looked into the pros and cons of it, will support the agreement."