Minister for Justice to address Sergeants and Inspectors in Carlow

Minister Charlie Flanagan, first Justice Minister in three years, to attend AGSI conference

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The Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan will address 150 mid-ranking Gardaí this evening (Monday) at the annual delegate conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI).The Acting Commissioner, Donál O’Cualáin will address delegates tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon.This year, AGSI celebrates its 40th anniversary, with conference putting a sharp focus on members’ welfare and wellbeing.AGSI represents 2,000 Sergeants and Inspectors made up of 31 Branches nationwide. 

Frontline Focus: Wellness and Welfare at Work

Speaking ahead of their three-day conference at the Mount Wolseley Hotel in Carlow, President Antoinette Cunningham said it was “opportune and overdue” that members’ welfare at work took centre stage.“This year we will highlight a range of issues that Sergeants and Inspectors are dealing with as a direct result of their job. Never before have our members been so stressed, and given the rise in suicide rates within the force, we felt a real need to make welfare and wellbeing a red-line issue.”This year will see a 90-minute segment dedicated to members’ welfare with Garda management, international policing and health experts participating. A number of AGSI members will share their personal stories illustrating the trauma and stress of the job. 

Motions

22 motions will be tabled over the three-day event comprising matters such as training, technology, transport, oversight and of course welfare.Conference opens at 2.00pm this afternoon (Monday) and ends at 1.00pm on Wednesday.