Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and it is good that he obviously agrees with the overall ambition that An Garda Síochána should be treated as a single organisation and as a single workforce. There has been engagement. On 18 May, the then Minister met with Fórsa, on 29 May, the deputy secretary of my Department met with the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants, and I intend to meet Fórsa and continue that engagement over the summer and into the new term. I will clarify, not just for the Deputy but for members of civilian staff, that it is not the case that come the beginning of January when the Bill is enacted and comes into play that their terms will change and that they will move to this new position. It is absolutely not the case. There will be no moving to commence this particular Part until there is agreement with the unions as to what that looks like. That has not been decided and that will only be decided with the full agreement of the unions and the civilian staff and it is my intention that I do not progress that without their support. There are a lot of potential options such as a run-in timeline, grandfathering and various other ways in which we can look at this. There is obviously the possibility that newer members who join would join on the new terms. That is something that still has to be worked through. There has been confusion that come January when this is enacted, this would automatically come into play and that I would automatically sign this. That will not be the case. I will not sign anything until there is agreement with the staff. There are still a number of options that can be worked through and that engagement and conversation is happening. We will need to continue that before the Bill is enacted. I stress that there are a lot of benefits to a potential new contract and the Garda being treated as a single organisation, particularly for civilian staff because Parts of the Bill intend that many more duties will be taken on by the civilian staff to free up front-line gardaí.

This is to ensure we have the numbers we need in the community and in the various specialist roles. There will be an opportunity for newer members and potentially those who may wish to take this on or not. However it is decided, there would be a lot more mobility even within the Garda and many benefits. There would be many positive aspects because those directly recruited into An Garda Síochána would be receiving training in policing areas where they had not received training before. I do not believe it is the case that current members of the Garda do not see themselves as part of a single workforce, but providing a new, clear platform and mechanism would allow for the specific training in question and more opportunities, including promotional opportunities. This is absolutely not a done deal. There is a lot more engagement to happen, and the Deputy has my commitment on that.

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