AGSI may quit Croke Park talks

Middle ranking gardaí are to consider pulling out of the talks on an extension to the Croke Park agreement.

The general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors John Redmond said this evening that its national executive would debate the issue at a meeting tomorrow.

He said management representatives had left the association under no illusion at talks today that the Government wanted to see issues such as pay cuts and reductions in allowances under a revised Croke Park agreement.

Mr Redmond said there was "nothing in any of that that we could bring back to our members".

A spokesman for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform said it noted the views of the AGSI but the talks on the proposed extension to the Croke Park agreement would continue.

Overall as part of an extended Croke Park agreement the Government is seeking to generate savings of around €1 billion on its pay and pensions bill.

Leaving the Croke Park talks yesterday, Mr Redmond said: "Sunday premium and twilight hours and allowances that our members work hard to earn are very definitely off the table as far as we are concerned and we will not countenance any reduction or any adjustment to those allowances."