The hand that feeds...

IT is easy to comprehend the rationale behind the acceptance by the Association of Garda Superintendents of Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s Garda Reserve.

Most superintendents aspire for promotion to a higher rank and the final decision as to whether they get promoted rests with the minister, hence they must not rock the boat but be subservient.

On the other hand, a large proportion of garda ranks have no ambition to be promoted and are not averse to rocking the boat when the occasion arises. There is a good deal of merit in their objections to the minister’s plans.