The organisations representing rank and file gardaí and sergeants and inspectors must tread carefully in the manner of their opposition to the Minister for Justice's plan for a Garda Reserve. It is the function of both the Garda Representative Association (GRA) and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) to protect the interests of their members. But, in doing so, they must ensure they do not bring themselves - and the force - into disrepute. The balance is a difficult one and the signs to date have not been auspicious.
Both organisations have legitimate industrial relations grievances relating to resources, working conditions, poor equipment and insufficient civilian administrative support. They are entitled to pursue these issues with Garda management and the Department of Justice. In doing so, the introduction of the reserve provides them with a new bargaining tool. But they risk going too far in publicly setting themselves against an initiative which is enshrined in legislation and has significant - albeit qualified - public support. First and foremost, the Garda is charged with upholding the law and it is not the prerogative of individual police officers or their representatives to refuse to do so.
Both the GRA and AGSI have portrayed the reserve as an attempt to introduce low cost policing with poorly trained part-time reservists. It is argued that if the State properly resourced the Garda - with very many more civilians in administrative roles - there would be no need for a reserve. There is merit in the case for increased civilianisation but, in itself, it does not undermine the parallel case for the reserve which the Minister sees as an effective means of boosting garda numbers by tapping into the civic spirit within the community. International experience suggests that he is correct and that with proper training and supervision, a reserve can serve to improve police visibility and crime deterrence.
There is scope for reasoned debate on these issues. But, many of the public exchanges so far have been characterised by intemperate and inappropriate language - especially the GRA's criticism of Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy who finds himself in an invidious position between the Minister and the force he leads. In his address at the AGSI annual conference on Monday, Mr McDowell offered to negotiate the number of reservists that will be recruited. However, AGSI delegates decided yesterday not to co-operate with the reserve. That they did so by a much narrower majority than expected suggests there is room for compromise although GRA members, fearful - in part - that reservists may reduce their potential to earn overtime, may adopt a more hardline approach at their forthcoming annual conference.
The time has come for reasoned dialogue: not over the principle of the reserve but over the detail of how it will operate and the constraints that should apply to ensure it can function effectively and fairly. This is the sensible way forward.