Garda reserve force - It’s time for truce in war of words

As expected, Justice Minister Michael McDowell attracted scathing criticism at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI).

He was subjected to the strongest criticism to date by AGSI president Paschal Feeney who accused the minister of trying to dismantle the gardaí, having a doctrinaire agenda and of having a Thatcherite approach.

Both the AGSI and the Garda Representative Association (GRA) are steadfastly united in their opposition to Mr McDowell’s 4,000-strong garda reserve, part of which he is adamant will be introduced next September.

Never has the relationship between a Justice Minister and the majority of the force been so abysmal. Both sides have become entrenched in their attitudes and the situation urgently needs breathing space.

It is unhelpful of the minister to utter the less-than-veiled threat to the garda associations that they would “self-destruct” if they insisted on a policy of non-cooperation.

Equally, they are unequivocal that the minister’s planned reserve force will never see the light of day.

Both sides will have to stand back in a spirit of reconciliation so that differences can be civilly debated, because the current war of words is futile.