Commission proposal - Savings are needed now

As Reform Minister Brendan Howlin discovered when he tried to tackle public sector allowances, many of them are regarded as part of basic pay because previous governments found it easiest to increase salaries in this way rather than add a percentage to existing rates.

The Garda Representative Association has welcomed support offered by Commissioner Martin Callinan for their proposal that another commission examine Garda pay and conditions. Such a review seems a good idea if it would benchmark our gardaí with their European colleagues and end once and for all the bizarre system of allowances that make up Garda pay today. However, it could only be a medium-term option as savings must be made immediately. That is our unfortunate reality.