John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The comment that got my attention was in Mr. Redmond's opening statement and was echoed by Mr. Stone and the Commissioner.

Mr. Redmond said that when we talk about public sector allowances, the message is often delivered through the media in very general terms. I agree and take it this means in some cases, such as policing or teaching, the critical and unique circumstances are lost. I met some representatives from the INTO in my constituency office this morning and they were able to make some very good arguments for some of the allowances they receive currently. On the comment made by Mr. Stone, regarding €46,000 for someone who has served nine years, I read in a newspaper over the weekend that I was earning €235,000. This was interesting and echoes what Mr. Stone said.

We are looking at the whole scale of allowances and it is therefore very useful for us to deal with an organisation where the system of allowances is not over elaborate. I compare it with the Department of Education and Skills, for example, where there are probably from 350 to 400 allowances which have built up over time and amount to a sum of over €600 million. I realise education is a huge area compared to the Garda Síochána.

It is useful for us to figure out how allowances evolved. I am a bit of an allowance geek or wonk and have some questions on this. What is the Garda experience of the creation of allowances, from the point of view of both the union and management? Have the witnesses been involved in the creation of an allowance within the organisation and can they give a specific example? I am also interested in how it is determined an allowance becomes pensionable. Perhaps the Commissioner will start with that.