VICE-PRESIDENT OF the Garda Representative Association (GRA) Damien McCarthy has warned the Government any effort to reduce Garda pay or allowances would be met with protest. “Any such action will warrant a response; it will be done within the law,” he said.
Mr McCarthy said the GRA, which represents all rank and file gardaí, would participate in planned Ictu and Frontline Alliance marches on November 6th and 11th respectively.
He declined to say what other forms of protest would be open to gardaí, who are banned from taking industrial action. Sources within both the GRA and Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (Agsi) ruled out another “blue flu”.
One course of action would be a selected law enforcement work-to-rule. This would involve rigidly enforcing some laws and suspending discretion for minor infringements of, for example, road traffic legislation.
Informed sources last night told The Irish Times no decisions would be taken before the GRA and Agsi executives met in three weeks.
Members of both organisations and groups representing superintendents and chief superintendents have been invited for talks at the Department of An Taoiseach next Friday. They will be updated on the state of the public finances.
Allowances top up Garda basic pay by 36 per cent, with overtime adding another 13 per cent; or 49 per cent combined.
According to the McCarthy report, there are 57 Garda allowances worth €217 million annually. The Garda basic pay bill is €607 million. The report recommended non-salary elements be cut by a minimum of €50 million per year.