Garda superintendents earned an average of 1 per cent less than lower-ranking Garda inspectors last year, the Association of Garda Superintendents conference heard yesterday.
As rank-and-file gardai marched on the Dail, the conference of senior officers in Dublin was dominated by pay. The association be came the third Garda representative association to propose industrial action. The conference voted to refuse to co-operate with the information technology Pulse programme and withdraw from negotiations on the Strategic Management Initiative.
The association's president, Supt Patrick Diggin said the AGS met officials last Thursday, and the result was a "disappointing draw." No offer was made, "so we could not accept or reject anything."
One in four superintendents who retired last year left to take up a job in the private sector, according to Supt Diggin.
The general secretary, Supt Jerry Clifford, said inspectors earned an average of 0.87 per cent more than their superiors last year; in some cases the pay gulf was £20,000, because inspectors received overtime and special allowances to which superintendents were not entitled. Supt Clifford said a committee had been established to decide on action and the conference was adjourned for one month.
Supt Diggin called on the Minister for Justice to appoint a special body with a £100 million allocation to upgrade Garda stations. At the current rate of progress it would take up to 30 years to bring all stations up to standard, he said.
He said the implementation of the multi-million-pound Pulse technology programme could be hindered by a lack of suitable accommodation. The improvement of stations was the responsibility of a number of Government Departments, and a site purchase could take a year to finalise.
The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, said national pay agreements had contributed to low inflation and enhanced international competitiveness. He urged the association to participate in the talks forum.
Supt Diggin criticised the culture of corporate greed which resulted in financial scandals which affected ordinary people. It was "morally wrong" to keep raising profit expectations, putting front-line employees under pressure.
