Madam, - If a week is a long time in politics, then two years must be a lifetime.
Two years ago in Bundoran at the Garda Representative Association's annual conference, the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform stated clearly in open forum on a query from the floor that in his opinion and that of his advisers, members of An Garda Síochána below the rank of superintendent (who can serve to 60 years of age), would not be able for the challenges of the profession after the age of 57 years.
If memory serves me correctly, he used the expression that those members would be a spent force on reaching that age.
Now we are told that not alone are those members not now a spent force, but that on reaching 57 they would be not alone able for the challenges faced daily, but would also be well up to accompanying his reserve force on duty.
Come clean, Minister, are you now saying that what you clearly stated to GRA representatives two years ago was in hindsight at the very least incorrect, or at worst rubbish?
The present "offer" you make rings hollow, and has all the signs of "making it up as you go along". - Yours, etc,
KEVIN McCARTHY, Divisional Chairman, Garda Representative Association, Henry Street, Limerick.