The Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has been accused of wasting public funds on the proposed garda reserve force.
PJ Stone, GRA General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association condemned what he described as the political interference of government in an Garda Síochana.
Mr Stone was critical of the Minister and Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy's attendance at a conference of the special constabulary in Chester this week. Mr Stone claimed costs on the reserve project were spiralling out of control while his members went without anti-stab vests, proper radios, patrol cars and accommodation.
"First of all the Department of Justice wasted taxpayers money on commissioning a poll to show support for the proposal yet they have failed to publish the poll in full," Mr Stone said. "Our own independently commissioned poll shows only 47% support for the Reserve which we have published in its entirety.
"Now we have this junket to one of the most exclusive parts of the UK which has cost more taxpayers funds and eaten into the overall Garda budget. And all for supporting the ego trip of a politician who knows his game is up on this issue."
Mr McDowell has repeatedly warned Garda representative associations that a campaign against the proposed Garda reserve could backfire on them. Mr Stone is now calling on him and the Commissioner to publish all correspondence between them to ascertain if Mr Conroy attended the event independently or at the behest of Mr McDowell.
"I am saddened the Garda Commissioner decided to steal away to the event despite the repeated protests by the majority of his members," Mr Stone continued. "To do it in this fashion is probably the greatest insult levelled at Gardai by any Commissioner considering the lack of money being invested in his own force."