Local Garda rep at protest over 'chronic, abysmal and disgraceful' lack of support
Today, gardai were protesting at Government Buildings over what a local representative calls a “disgraceful” lack of support.
Executive members of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) were protesting at the imposition of financial emergency legislation, known as FEMPI, on its members.
The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act includes non-restoration of pay or allowances, the loss of protection from compulsory redundancy and a freeze on pay increments for two years - a move which affects new recruits the most.
It was imposed on the GRA because it rejected the Lansdowne Road Agreement on public sector pay.
'Clear breach'
Garda James Morrisroe of Cootehill Garda Station said the government were in “clear breach of the Haddington Road Agreement yet they are using draconian legislation, in the guise of FEMPI, to punish a section of the public service who have gone above and beyond in putting their shoulder to the wheel and have done all that was asked of them during the financial crisis”, he told The Celt.
“It’s time the government addressed the chronic shortage of resources in An Garda Siochana and honoured their commitment under Haddington Road in relation to the review of An Garda Siochana. In the Cavan-Monaghan Division recruitment isn’t even keeping pace with retirements and that’s on top of a 22% reduction in numbers already since 2008.
'Abysmal'
“There are up to 80 members in the Division waiting years to be trained to drive patrol cars in response to routine calls. It’s disgraceful and no other modern police force would be expected to put up with such an unprofessional approach to basic training.
“The training regime within the force is abysmal and there is no national ringfenced budget to implement a proper continuous professional programme for upskilling all members.
“Our members have taken enough and are ready to step up to the plate to ensure that their voices will be heard, loud and clear,” he said.