Minister's media statement on GRA row 'regrettable and unhelpful', says Slevin

Garda Representative Association general secretary Ronan Slevin. Picture: Alan Hamilton

Hearing on a radio interview that the justice minister would not intervene in the garda row over rosters has been labelled as “regrettable and unhelpful” by the Garda Representative Association.

The association had written last week to Justice Minister Helen McEntee, seeking her intervention in the row between it and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris about the re-introduction of a pre-covid roster on November 6.

However, the GRA wanted Ms McEntee to act with a view to “removing the barrier” of the November 6 introduction, to allow talks to progress regarding the roster issue.

In an interview on RTÉ’s This Week programme on Sunday, Ms McEntee said she would not be intervening in the row.

“What I'm being asked to do there specifically and directly is to direct not just the Garda Commissioner, but in fact all members of An Garda Síochána, as to where and when and how they should work," she said.

"That is not the role, nor should it be the role of the minister, and we've moved away for very good reasons for that type of policing with any type of political interference."

She also said that the decision to revert back to the pre-covid roster was not a recent decision, having being made in July.

General secretary of the GRA, Ronan Slevin, told the Irish Examiner: “I have written to the minister on behalf of the GRA, asking for intervention in this situation, and have yet to receive a response. 

"So to hear this on RTÉ is both regrettable and unhelpful.” 

Planned action

It comes ahead of a planned refusal by GRA members to take voluntary overtime on Tuesday and the four subsequent Tuesdays — including Budget Day and Halloween.

From November 6, the association’s members will work the existing roster, instead of the old roster.

Four days later, the association plans a withdrawal of labour by its membership.

The letter sent to Ms McEntee said the mandate from the membership was “very clear” that the November 6 deadline was “a major inhibiting factor” in progressing the talks.

Mr Slevin said the GRA “remains committed to finding a solution to this impasse”.

He renewed the association’s position regarding the November 6 deadline being removed, saying: “Once the Commissioner removes the unreasonable November 6 date, then we are ready and willing to walk into negotiations.” 

The action on Tuesday follows a vote of no confidence in Commissioner Harris by the GRA last month.

Ms McEntee reiterated her confidence in him on Sunday.