An AGSI delegation met with the Minister for Justice & Equality this afternoon to highlight the depth of feeling on the ground in relation to the lack of progress for the Review of An Garda Síochána under the Haddington Road Agreement and the effect of the ‘NO’ vote from our members in relation to the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
There was a frank and robust exchange of views where we left the Minister and her Department in no doubt about the feelings you are expressing at your Annual General Meetings. I am disappointed to say that after our meeting we still do not have a commencement date for the Review under Haddington Road. The Minister could only advise us that the submission from the official side to the Review would be available next Tuesday to Ray McGee. AGSI believe the stated timeframe for completing the review i.e. before the end of February, is no longer credible and we reiterated this view to her.
AGSI highlighted how completely unsatisfactory it was placing the European Social Decision in the Review and how it had impacted our ability to represent our members properly. The Minister offered no explanation as to why the European Social Committee’s decision could not have been advanced separately to the pay and structural element of the Review. At our insistence the Minister did however agree to examine the complexity of taking this matter out of the Review.
The AGSI delegation will provide a detailed report to the National Executive next Monday. The National Executive will then examine the options available to them to continue to press the Minister and the Government to progress the review immediately and to address the FEMPI Legislation.
