THE Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, has indicated there will be no substantial changes in the legislation proposed on Tuesday to resolve the dispute between the Garda representative bodies.
The two main Garda organisations have suggested changes in the proposed law, which involves fundamental restructuring of the Garda Representative Association (GRA).
A delegation, from the rival Garda Federation met Department of Justice officials yesterday to explain its concerns at a number of aspects of the proposed Bill. The federation, which holds its annual conference in Dublin today, is unhappy with the suggestion that members who left the GRA might have to pay subscription arrears on their return.
Both organisations are also concerned about the Minister's plan for an independent body to review disciplinary decisions within the GRA. The GRA general secretary, Mr John Ferry, said some decisions were now before the High Court and "it would be unlawful for us or the Minister to undermine the authority of the High Court".
The Garda Federation said it had learned that Department of Justice officials were considering having disciplinary questions decided by a group made up of a lawyer, a GRA representative and a representative of the Garda Commissioner, a suggestion the federation called "unrealistic".
The Minister said any comments on the Bill would be listened to, but legislation was needed because all efforts to resolve the dispute had failed.