McNamara’s bill to allow gardaí take industrial action

Clare TD, Michael McNamara is to introduce a Bill to the Dáil this Wednesday afternoon, which will provide for the right of Garda and Defence Forces representatives to carry out negotiations on pay and conditions of its members.

The Industrial Relations (Members of the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces) Bill 2015 will also allow gardaí to take industrial action.

“This Bill seeks to introduce the necessary amendments to bring Ireland into compliance with the Social Charter, a European treaty which guarantees social and economic human rights, which Ireland was found to be in breach of by the European Committee of Social Rights,” said the Labour Deputy.

“Ireland has been in breach of the charter, as it prohibits police representative associations from joining national employees’ organisations; and prohibits the right to strike of members of the police,” he added.

This Bill will not, however, allow members of the Defence Forces to strike, Deputy McNamara stressed.