Deceptive promises add to tension

Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s tactic in hiring civilians to fill administrative positions so serving gardaí can go back on the beat is under threat.

Mr McDowell planned to hire civilians to replace 219 gardaí serving in administrative positions. They would take responsibility for the collection of fines, the administration of firearms and the processing of the penalty points system. The force has been unable to fill 90 administrative positions as a result of the ban on civil service hiring. In addition, the Government has cut back on election pledges to hire 2,000 extra gardaí.

A spokesman for the Garda Representatives Association (GRA) says the redeployment of the gardaí from administrative positions has already been agreed under the Strategic Management Initiative.