Shatter 'very disappointed' as senior gardaí walk away from Croke Park talks

The Justice Minister Alan Shatter has said he is very disappointed that middle-ranking gardaí have walked away from talks on an extension to the Croke Park Agreement.

Alan Shatter appealed to the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) to go back to the discussions.

But members say that for as long as cuts to pay are on the table, they see no reason to attend the talks.

Speaking at a commissioning ceremony of officers in the defence forces, Minister Shatter said a walk-out now would achieve little for those represented by the AGSI.

"I think it's unfortunate that at such as early stage in the engagement that any representative group would withdraw from the discussion.

"Engaging in the discussions gives the opportunity to shape the outcome of those discussions."