Labour’s McNamara defies Government on Garda vote

Labour Party TD Michael McNamara has voted against the Government and for his own Bill which would allow gardaí to strike and to join a trade union.

The Industrial Relations (Members of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces) Bill was defeated by 69 votes to 24.

Normally, Mr McNamara would lose the party whip for voting against the Government but because it is his own Bill, he faces no further action.

A party spokesman, confirming the Clare TD would not lose the whip, said “we’ll be a little bit more relaxed in this instance”.

Mr McNamara’s Bill was debated in the Dáil last Friday and the vote postponed until Thursday.

The Bill provided for gardaí and the Defence Forces to engage in collective bargaining, to join national trade union umbrella organisations and to allow gardaí go on strike.

Mr McNamara said security of the State could be maintained while allowing gardaí the right to strike.

Fianna Fáil also voted with the Government and against the legislation, opposing a right to strike for the gardaí.