GARDA UNION REACTION:The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said the 'Bord Snip Nua' report had singled out Garda pay and conditions "unfairly" and that the closure of some stations marked the "final death-knell" for policing in some areas.
"The pay and conditions of Gardaí came about as a result of agreements properly negotiated within the controlled Garda Síochána industrial relations framework. Gardaí are paid according to their expertise and the type of work they must do. And in many cases, AGSI feels, it is inadequate for the work carried out," the AGSI said in a statement.
It said it was disappointed the board did not take cognisance of the "uniqueness of the role of the Garda Síochána as identified by the two independent commissions on pay and conditions – i.e. the Conroy and Ryan Commissions".
Gardaí have already had their salaries cut by 7.5 per cent on top of the extra taxes and levies introduced in the last two budgets, the statement added.
“Other recommendations will have serious implications for the provision of Garda service including the recommendation to consider closing garda stations. This will inevitably result in a considerably reduced garda service to the public,” said AGSI general secretary Joe Dirwan.
"Closing stations would result in further isolation of rural communities and would also deprive parts of our cities of a ‘walk-in’ service.
"Already we have seen a stripping out of gardaí from the rural areas to provide a service in the larger towns and cities. The closure of thestations is the final death-knell to policing in many areas of the country.”