Press Release: Justice 21 February 2006

Links to: All Press Releases  2006 2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000

Dún Laoghaire, Environment and Justice Press Releases

21 February 2006

Greens call for speedy resolution to impasse over proposed Garda Reserves

The Green Party has called on both sides in the current impasse over the proposed Garda Síochána Reserve to meet as soon as possible to resolve the dispute.  The Garda Representative Authority (GRA) and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) have received support from rank and file Gardaí for a campaign against the introduction of a reserve force.  Proposals for the Garda Reserve were unveiled yesterday evening by the Minister for Justice.

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe said, “The current impasse between the Minister for Justice and the Garda Representative Authority (GRA) and Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) must be brought to an end immediately.  There is a danger that if this standoff is allowed to continue we could witness a repeat of the ‘Blue Flu’ episode of 1998.  This scenario must be avoided at all costs. 

“It is understandable that the (GRA) and the (AGSI) have serious concerns regarding the new reserve force.  They should, however, bring these concerns to the table and engage in meaningful dialogue with the Minister for Justice.  These organisations must bear in mind that the proposals for the reserve force were drawn up by the Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy, who surely has the best interests of the full-time force at heart. 

“In turn, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell TD must take full responsibility to ensure that concerns of the full-time force are taken into consideration and that the GRA and AGSI are afforded adequate opportunity to work through these concerns prior to the initiation of the reserve force.  The Minister should also provide greater administrative backup for An Garda Síochána to ensure that they can concentrate on policing rather than backroom activities. 

“If implemented in line with best international practice and with appropriate consideration for all interested parties the Garda Síochána Reserve could provide much needed support for the current full-time Garda force, enhancing its relationship within local communities and contributing to making Ireland a safer place”, he concluded.