Shatter encourages garda groups to 'get inside the tent'

The Justice Minister has again urged rank-and-file gardaí to return to the table for talks on an extension to the Croke Park Agreement.

Alan Shatter also laughed off a motion of no confidence in him by the Garda Representative Association, saying they had "gone to war" with most Justice Ministers.

He said this was a time of change and that all parties had to embrace that change.

"I'd encourage both garda organisations to engage rationally in the talks process," he said.

"I don’t think anger or personal abuse is a substitute for positive engagement…I think you're better off being inside the tent talking, than shouting outside it."