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First Report of Working Group on Industrial Relations Structures for An Garda Síochána is presented to Government
Today (Tuesday) the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, TD brought the first Report of the Working Group on Industrial Relations Structures for An Garda Síochána to Government for consideration.
The Working Group, chaired by the former Secretary General in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr John Murphy, has made a number of recommendations in relation to the future of industrial relations in An Garda Síochána.
Government has considered the report and has approved the drafting of legislation that will, when internal industrial relations mechanisms are in place, give the Garda Associations access by right to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court. This legislation will be prioritised by Government with a view to early enactment.
The Government has also approved the Working Group’s recommendations in relation to the status of the Garda Associations, the right to strike and pay determination.
Speaking today, the Minister thanked the Chairman and members of the Working Group for the work they have done to complete this stage of the process. He also thanked the Garda Associations and other interested parties who had contributed to the work of the Group.
The Minister went on to say that, ‘today is an important day in the evolution of industrial relation in An Garda Síochána. A stable industrial relations environment is in the interests of Garda management, members of An Garda Síochána and in the public interest. Working together constructively, with access to the industrial relations machinery of the State, will ensure that the difficulties we have seen in the past are avoided into the future.’
The second and final report of the Working Group will deal with the internal industrial relations mechanisms in An Garda Síochána. Minister Flanagan has said that he is looking forward to receiving that Report in due course.
A copy of the Working Group Report is available on the Department of Justice and Equality website via the following link: http://bit.ly/2xCqrUw