Gardaí to demonstrate if pay or allowances cut, says association

Middle-ranking gardaí will protest and demonstrate their anger if the Government moves to cut pay or their allowances as part of an initiative to generate €1 billion in savings on the public service pay bill, their representative body has warned.

Speaking after talks as part of the proposed extension to the Croke Park agreement, the general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, John Redmond, said his members were quite adamant in relation to any changes or adjustments to their existing allowances.

“Sunday premium and twilight hours and allowances that our members work hard to earn are very definitely off the table as far as we are concerned and we will not countenance any reduction or any adjustment to those allowances,” he said.

Asked about warnings by Taoiseach Enda Kenny that the Government might legislate to cut pay if agreement on a proposed extension to the Croke Park deal could not be reached, Mr Redmond said: “Our view is he is at liberty to do that but if he does that he will have to expect and be prepared for what is going to happen.”

“My members have relayed to us through agms over the past three weeks that they are beside themselves with anger over what is going on with regard to the attack on their pay and allowances. I do not know how much more they are going to take without standing up to be counted.”

‘Blue flu’

He said members of the association would not become involved in any “blue flu” episode – where many gardaí called in sick on a particular day.

However, Mr Redmond said there would be protests and there would “be a demonstration of our anger and annoyance at the way Government intends to treat us”.

Meanwhile, the union representing lower-paid civil servants said management in that sector wanted savings to be made by the introduction of additional working hours “coupled with an extension of the working day from 8am to 8pm and potentially across a six-day week”.

The Civil Public and Services Union said management envisaged new flexibility on rostering with “a consequent impact” on existing flexitime arrangements and the provision for a shorter working year. The union said management also raised redeployment and outsourcing in the discussions.