Garda concern at working hours

Gardai are upset at suggestions of limits being put on members of the force who hold second jobs.

Gardai are upset at suggestions of limits being put on members of the force who hold second jobs.

The Garda Federation, which represents about 2,000 Dublin gardai, said yesterday that the force was suffering from low morale due to such suggestions, and speculation about changes in Garda working hours.

The federation said it was concerned at the delay in publication of the report by the Strategic Management Initiative (SMI) group reviewing the operation of the Garda. "Recent media speculation that a review of Garda pay will not be addressed at this time, while suggesting that matters such as changes in rostering conditions and secondary employment for members are being dealt with, does nothing to enhance the understandable present low level of morale at garda rank," the federation said.