Members of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) feel betrayed by the government and Garda management says association president, Dermot O'Brien.
He warned that “a perfect storm is gathering’ - not just for the Garda but for others in public service.
“We’ve taken the brunt of all the cuts, we’ve been given promises, we entered various national pay agreements, to the bring country to where it is today, now it’s time to repay that faith, to restore and reward us,”he said.
Arming the Garda
Mr O'Brien made the comments on RTÉ's Morning Ireland ahead of the GRA conference which begins later today at the Malton Hotel in Killarney.
Mr O’Brien said that the issue of arming the Garda would be a major topic.
“It’s going to raise a lot of debate at the conference. We have no intermediate form of force. What we have is a baton and pepper spray and then we jump from there to a gun. There is nothing in between that members could utilise to defend themselves.
“We could use tasers, bean bags, they are used by other police forces, effectively. Society is getting a lot more dangerous out there. Gun crime is one element, public order is another. Respect for Gardaí seems to be gone,” he said.
Pay levels
The GRA wants a body to be established to look at restoring pay levels for members following cuts in 2009, but also to take into account the unique nature of their job.
Mr O’Brien said the Garda were the only members of the public service to go into work and put on a stab proof vest and a utility belt with baton, pepper spray and handcuffs.
Mr O’Brien went on to call for a Garda remuneration review body to be set up under the Haddington Road Agreement. “We should be entitled to have our own pay review separate from other public servants....We feel entitled to that,” he said.
Low morale
Garda Conor Staunton, GRA representative for Westmeath, maintains that morale in the force at grassroots level is non-existent.
Garda Staunton, who is stationed in Moate, told Midlands 103FM, "There is a lot of anger out there. . .Morale in the force at grassroots level is non-existent."
He said the priorities of force members have been overlooked in the last few years. “Politicians don’t seem to care at all”, he said.