As Minister for Justice and Equality, I fully understand and appreciate the nature of policing and the critical role played by An Garda Síochána in relation to the security and the safety of everyone in the State. I know that the Gardaí perform a difficult and sometimes dangerous duty on behalf of all of us. In this context, both myself and the Government have, despite the critical exchequer position, sought to ensure that An Garda Síochána have all the necessary resources that the State can provide available to them at all times.
I have always believed it is of substantial importance to members of An Garda Síochána that they are in a position through their representative bodies to address issues relating to their pay and conditions of work in an orderly and considered manner. Because of the nature of policing in a democratic state, An Garda Síochána are, of course, in a unique situation given the context of the duties that they undertake for and on behalf of the State and this is recognised in the context of the structures that are in place and the provisions that exist and are applicable to the GRA and AGSI.
It is not unusual that from time to time there are some tensions and disagreements between the Garda associations and Government on matters relating to pay and conditions. Throughout my political life there have always been issues in respect of which there has been some level of dispute between one or other Garda association with the Minister for Justice of the day. It is also my view that such issues should be addressed with a mutual level of respect and understanding whilst appreciating that in the heat of the moment things may be done or said that with greater thought would not happen.
As is widely known, discussions and negotiations have been taking place for some time between staff and management representatives in Lansdowne House facilitated by officers of the Labour Relations Commission with regard to a revised public sector agreement.
A number of sessions were held with the Garda associations, the last of these being on 24th January 2013. On the following day the AGSI announced they were withdrawing from the discussions and on 4th February the GRA followed suit. Had such withdrawal not occurred the associations could have, in the talks process, raised all issues of concern to their members and helped shape any eventual outcome that may apply to members of An Garda Síochána.
Since the withdrawal from discussions by the GRA and AGSI, discussions have continued with all other trade unions and representative bodies. Instead of engaging in discussions the GRA position has evolved into a public protest movement and its executive is now encouraging members of the Force to engage in a form of industrial action. We have seen in recent days members of the GRA executive voicing personal criticism not only of me (which is not unusual for a Minister for Justice) but also of the Taoiseach and some are encouraging local votes of no confidence in the Garda Commissioner. I do not believe that such public disrespect should be shown to the Taoiseach nor should any member of the Garda Force so address the Garda Commissioner.
Yesterday was a bad day for the reputation of the Force when, outside Lansdowne House, members of the GRA executive saw fit both to engage in protest action, and criticise and abuse other trade unions and public representative bodies which were properly representing the best interests of their members by engaging in discussion and negotiation inside Lansdowne House. I am concerned that what took place yesterday could discredit the Force in the eyes of many people.
Today the General Secretary of the GRA, Mr PJ Stone stated that the GRA were never part of the talks nor can they influence the outcome of the talks. It is unfortunate that he chooses to so grossly mislead not only the general public but also members of the Force who he should be representing. The facts are that all public sector representative bodies were invited to a series of meetings which were facilitated by officers from the Labour Relations Commission. A number of options were put to the Garda Associations at those meetings. The intention was that these options would be negotiated with the Garda Associations with the objective of realising the relevant savings in the Garda Vote. However, both AGSI and the GRA withdrew from these discussions prior to any meaningful engagement by them on these options. At the time they both issued statements saying that they were not prepared to discuss any measures which would affect the pay or conditions of their members. The direct quotes from their statements are detailed below:
The GRA statement of the 4th February said:
“Our membership have told us that they cannot accept any further reduction in Garda pay nor can they accept a reduction in the terms and conditions of their employment.”
“The Government has presented a briefing document of cost cutting measures and changes to work practices that includes pay cuts. The central executive committee of the GRA has rejected such proposals that include a cut in Garda pay, and will not participate in any process that proposes such cuts”
The AGSI statement of the 25th of January said:
"The Croke Park talks are fruitless for our members. Our input and concerns are falling on deaf ears and we don't want to be puppets in a play of one-sided debate.” John Redmond, General Secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) was speaking following an emergency meeting of the National Executive this afternoon.
The Executive agreed that "removing AGSI from the talks was in the best interest of members to protect core pay which includes allowances."
John Redmond says, "The list and suite of proposals put forward by management were so detrimental to our members that there was no way that we could go back with them for ratification.
"We listened to our members at AGM's throughout January and they gave us the mandate to remove ourselves from the talks today."
Mr. Stone well knows that had the GRA and the AGSI remained in the talks or should they return to the talks, they can make a valuable and substantial contribution to whatever new arrangements may be made and applicable to members of An Garda Síochána. For as long as the GRA and AGSI remain outside the talks they can have no such influence and I would, once again, urge each body to properly represent the best interests of their members by re-engaging immediately in the talks process.