THE Department of Justice gave an interest free loan of £90,800 to the Garda Federation, which it does not recognise. This was revealed by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr John Purcell to the Dail Committee of Public Accounts.
The committee also heard calls from TDs to end State payments to Garda representative bodies for their postal, phone and accommodation costs. The committee was discussing the Comptroller's report on the Garda Siochana.
TDs were told that the loan arose from a High Court case taken by four members of the GRA over a ballot on pension entitlements. They lot, had costs awarded against them and were suspended from the GRA. They then became key members of the federation.
The Secretary of the Department, Mr Tim Dalton, said the loan was made to prevent the issue hindering the arbitration between the GRA and the federation.
Mr Eric Byrne (DL) said it was outrageous that the State should have to pay the legal expenses of individuals involved in an internal union dispute. He also called for the ending of annual State payments to Garda representative bodies, which he estimated at £250,000.