Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Justice and Equality and the Government are perfectly willing to listen and hear the points of view and the representations made to them by the Garda representative bodies, the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors. That is their right. Where we have a disciplined force, there must be a channel of communication on behalf of the members of the force and this is done through the representative bodies. From time to time there will be disagreement between them and the Minister. That happens in every area of activity and it is the job of the representative bodies to represent their members and to do so effectively. The issue of discipline in the Garda Síochána is not one for the Minister or the Government, it is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.

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