Representative bodies within the Garda Síochána have embarked on a dangerous course of action in challenging the authority of the Government to establish a part-time police reserve. At a time when public confidence in the Garda has been damaged by the findings of the Morris tribunal, a return to the kind of industrial relations tactics that gave us the notorious "blue flu" would be a serious miscalculation.
If the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) and the Garda Representative Association (GRA) object to aspects of the plan drawn up by Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy, then those issues should be dealt with by way of consultation, rather than through confrontation. By objecting to the very concept of a police reserve and refusing to co-operate in its establishment, they are implicitly challenging the right of the Government and the Oireachtas to legislate for this society.
A lack of clarity concerning the functions, screening and training of members of the volunteer reserve probably contributed to a degree of alarm within the force. But now that Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has finally published details of the scheme, issues can be considered coolly and rationally. Police reservists operate in support of their full-time colleagues in Britain and in other western democracies. There is no reason why that should not happen here.
Objections to the scheme have centred on industrial relations and security issues. The GRA sought backing from trade unions on the grounds that this was an "Irish Ferries-type issue" that would affect garda overtime and recruitment prospects, while the AGSI spoke of confidential material being leaked to subversives and criminals and of reservists settling old scores with their neighbours. As was evident from a public protest meeting in Sligo on Monday, however, the proposal has become the focus of quite separate grievances.
Members of the Garda Síochána do a difficult, sometimes dangerous and nearly always thankless job in keeping the peace and enforcing the law. They are well paid. But they work unsocial hours. And conditions in some Garda stations are sub-standard. That is changing. Extra funding has been provided by Government. And the complement of the force is being raised towards 14,000. It is, however, an organisation under pressure with a tendency to circle the wagons against outsiders when disciplinary issues arise.
Passage of the Garda Síochána Bill, in 2005, generated considerable friction with the representative organisations. A new Garda Inspectorate was appointed last month to investigate complaints. And other changes are on the way. The appointment of part-time policemen will not undermine the status of existing members. Instead, it should lead to a more visible policing presence, increased crime deterrence and, hopefully, to improved relations between the Garda and the community they are employed to serve.