Madam, – The Garda Representative Association’s poster campaign against the public sector pension levy is horrific – and horrifically cynical. To use graphic pictures of members disfigured in the line of duty to try to hijack public opinion is reprehensible, and reminiscent of Youth Defence campaigns.
I accept that the GRA is entitled to advance the cause of their membership, but I believe this stunt will prove counter productive – Especially as the Garda is the best paid police force in Europe by a margin of 30 per cent, according to a recent EU statistics report. I doubt if any serving Garda is on a salary of less than €60,000 a year (exclusive of overtime), as opposed to the €30,000 propaganda figure cited by GRA representatives. One newspaper recently reported that an ordinary garda had received €80,000 in overtime alone last year. I doubt if the GRA will generate a gush of public sympathy.
I am a former military policeman honoured to have served the flag. Soldiers and gardaí are in a different category to other workers given the nature of their duties. To engage in activities like the GRA campaign undermines Garda authority and dilutes public respect; I suspect many seasoned gardaí understand this. When you enlist, you are aware of the dangers; and the Garda, unlike the Army, enjoys a generous injury compensation scheme. A former colleague of mine who was crippled while serving in the Lebanon received nothing only a pitiable disability pension.
As for some gardaí reportedly saying they would “not be too pushed” about responding to crime calls because of the pension levy, do we really want such people policing the country? If your major motivation for performing your duties is monetary, perhaps it’s time you vacated your position allowing one of the 300,000 subsisting on the dole to fill your ungrateful boots.
We are living in straitened times and people in privileged positions, both economically and socially, such as gardaí, must be prepared to shoulder some modest burden.
Given recent corruption scandals, the GRA should be busy rehabilitating the force’s image, not alienating public opinion further with this contemptible campaign. – Yours, etc,