GRA maintains its opposition to Garda Reserve

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has not softened its position of opposition to the Garda Reserve, the central executive committee of the association said last night.

The GRA said its decision to process applications from those wanting to join the reserve was "forced upon" its members against their will.

General secretary PJ Stone said the association would not break the laws of the land and therefore members must assist in the processing of applications. But he insisted the move did not represent a change of policy on the Garda Reserve "one bit".

Mr Stone said he viewed "comments made to the contrary as highly deceitful. The GRA is advising its members that the policy of non-cooperation still stands and should the reserve be implemented, its recruits will not be welcomed by those of Garda rank."

Mr Stone said the GRA had advised its members to reject any pay rises that come on condition of the acceptance of the Garda Reserve. "It is a flawed proposal which de-professionalises the difficult job we do and in turn cons the Irish people by failing to provide the properly resourced, properly manned, full-time service that they so richly deserve."

The GRA also insisted it had "strong information" that the Department of Justice was "falsifying the levels of public interest in the Garda Reserve by conducting tele-polls and using the results as artificial evidence of high levels of public interest."

The Department of Justice last night rejected the GRA's ascertain as "completely false". "The recruitment for the Garda Reserve is being conducted through the Public Appointments Service," a spokeswoman said.