GARDAI have angrily rejected criticism from politicians over "double jobbing" by members of the force.
Delegates at the Garda Federation's annual conference in Dublin yesterday argued that gardai were so badly paid that many had no choice but to seek other incomes.
There was particular criticism of Democratic Left, which raised the issue earlier this week.
One delegate, Mr Pat Normile, said it was "a bit crass from people with double mandates - with EU positions, Dail positions and county council positions - to be lecturing us about doublejobbing."
Another delegate, Mr Jerome Twomey, said restrictions on other earnings infringed every garda's constitutional rights.
"If a member inherits a property and is making a bit of money on it, what's wrong with that, once they're paying their tax?" he asked.
Under the Garda code gardai are allowed to have other jobs, but some activities - such as working for security firms - are banned.
On Tuesday, the Minister of State for the Environment, Ms Liz McManus, said gardai who have other jobs are damaging the force's relationship with the public.
She said gardai should realise the importance of concentrating on their work for the force.
The new president of the federation, Mr Denis Gallagher, said the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa, should explain whether Democratic Left's position on "doublejobbing" was current Government policy.
"If that's the case, I would ask him why are they not granting us a pay commission?" he said.
The Federation, which represents about 2,000 mainly Dublin based gardai, elected Mr Colin Dempsey from Dundalk as vice president.