"Recent successes in policing all types of crime are due to the sustained efforts of all members of An Garda Siochana, working together as a cohesive unit in providing an excellent service to the State.
"However, I do appreciate the members' frustration over current pay levels. While I am not a direct party to negotiations, I have done everything possible to secure a resolution of the issue and at one stage recently was given to understand that an interim settlement had been achieved. "I cannot agree with the tactic of reporting sick as a form of protest. This is totally alien to the traditions of An Garda Siochana which sets high standards of behaviour and integrity. It will do nothing to secure agreement, but `Blue Flu' will become the new catchphrase of condemnation for a long time to come.
"As there has been no co-operation from GRA membership to assist me with contingency planning, the difficulties involved in ensuring a proper police service are increased. "The public stance of the GRA executive is that the protest is not centrally organised but is due to the frustration of the broad membership. This, in itself, is a cause for concern. If this is true, then each individual member must make up his or her own mind on whether or not to report sick.
"I still cannot believe that any substantial number of gardai will participate in this pretence and cannot understand a strategy whereby the withdrawal of labour, normally the ultimate tactic in a dispute, is now being used before negotiations advance.
"I want to assure the public that certain contingency plans have been put in place. I am very grateful to all those who will implement plans which will deal with all eventualities tomorrow insofar as this is possible."