Gardai representatives to discuss withdrawal of services strike action

The Commissioner has told the force that overtime will now be reduced

Garda officers will engage in five days of work-to-rule action next month, coinciding with a major EU Presidency meeting of leaders in Dublin on November 13th.

The Garda Representative Association Central Executive Committee agreed on the measures this week amid ongoing complaints about working conditions.

The work-to-rule will begin on Tuesday, November 10th and run until Saturday, November 14th.

This includes the European Political Convention on November 12th, as well as the informal meeting of the EU heads of state or government on November 13th.

The GRA said it is not ruling out a further escalation of action.

"The GRA's executive will now meet on Monday morning, accompanied by their legal counsel, to discuss this position and further accelerated actions right up to and including a withdrawal of services," said GRA General Secretary Ronan Slevin.

The work-to-rule motion urges all members stationed in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) should report for duty at their home station at the beginning of their tours of duty and wait to be transported to their points of duty.

It also states that all members within 100km of their points of duty in the DMR and Shannon should report to their home station and wait to be transported to their points of duty.

Speaking today in Cavan, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said that overtime would be shortly reduced following complaints by the GRA that Gardai have been working too much overtime.

"I know that due to the year we have had with the visit of President Trump, a number of large-scale investigations, and the EU Presidency that Gardai have had to work long hours and put a lot of effort in.

"The GRA have said to me that Gardai are working too much overtime. I have discussed this with Deputy Commissioner, Policing Operations, and it has been agreed that we will soon reduce the amount of overtime available once we complete some forthcoming major events such as the EPC in mid-November.

"Gardai have once again demonstrated their professionalism and dedication during the EU Presidency. I have received many compliments on this work from the Government, State agencies and international policing and security colleagues."