Mr. Ronan Slevin:

On behalf of the Garda Representative Association, GRA, I thank the Chair for the opportunity to speak before this committee and answer any questions from him and the members. Our testimony to this Oireachtas joint committee will primarily focus on items 1 and 3 from our detailed submission on a number of policing matter, which we presented earlier to the committee.

Item 2 is the deployment of personnel in Dublin and is an operational matter for Garda management. We believe that many of the challenges being experienced stem from the systematic problems we will discuss today.

Visible and effective policing can only be delivered by a sufficient number of gardaí who are adequately trained and equipped, have access to technology and utilise systems that are less bureaucratic and administration focused. Esteemed members, we are currently witnessing a crisis in An Garda Síochána, focused on the recruitment and retention of gardaí and enormous challenges which are directly linked to a myriad of other issues faced by our members every day. In the area of recruitment, we are not seeing sufficient numbers presenting to join the force despite Government approval for Garda management to achieve an adequate level of recruits. It is our considered view that the amount of compensation for training, which has risen from €184 to a still meagre €305 per week, will do little or nothing to attract the most suitably qualified candidates to a career in An Garda Síochána.

The people who make it through training are met with a far too incremental pay scale system for them to achieve a level of payment appropriate to match an appropriate standard of living. It is in the area of recruitment where I believe the very sustainability of An Garda Síochána is threatened. As many as 800 members were promised by the Garda Commissioner in 2022, with just 300 trainees entering the Garda College. This year, we were promised 1,000 trainees and, once again, that number will fall considerably short with the figure set to reach just over 600, which is nearly 40% short of targets. A significant activation to encourage the appropriate level of high-quality recruits is needed to immediately address these significant trainee compensation issues, and to address the pay scale structural inadequacies which currently exist, in addition to the substandard pensions being offered to new entrants since 2013.

For all of the issues we have in recruitment, we have parallel problems when it comes to the retention of our members. We are currently experiencing record numbers of gardaí leaving the force, with that number set to reach at least 150 this year, with 116 members having resigned so far. In this month alone, ten members have given their notice. Last year, the figure stood at 108, which is a number that normally equates to 45 resignations. The number exiting the force is an extreme concern, where overall conditions and terms of service, general well-being, morale and lack of recognition, poor pension entitlements for new recruits, resourcing, bureaucracy, workload and an unfair disciplinary process all contribute to the disillusionment of the modern Garda where a growing number are simply walking away.

One significant area where we will achieve a better work-life balance is around rosters. We are now negotiating with the Commissioner for a system that will allow for a maximising of resources through an efficient timetable and that is satisfactory to all. It is an ongoing area of extreme difference between our members and Commissioner Harris, that he continually fails to accept that there is a morale issue in An Garda Síochána, and one which can be greatly improved by a fairer roster system being established.

Myself and Mr. Brendan O'Connor, president of the GRA, will highlight some of the details around rosters for the committee. We will also pinpoint areas where morale has reached extreme depths, particularly in terms of training, pensions, health and disciplinary procedure.

Training is an area which the public can see most visibly, particularly given the growing level of intimidation that our members face, notably around public gatherings by groups holding extreme views and espousing hate-filled philosophies. We look forward to discussing with the committee members the fine balance between our unquestionable duty of care to the general public and managing extremely volatile situations and sometimes without appropriate training.

I wish to emphasis to the Chair and members of the joint committee that the life of the modern Garda is still a hugely fulfilling vocation. The job of a garda is unique and like no other role in society. As gardaí, we all serve with pride and honour despite a deteriorating series of conditions put in our way. Our number one priority is to provide security, protection and reassurance to the Irish people, and our members will never be found wanting with this great responsibility.

Once again, I thank the Chair for inviting us here today. We look forward to answering any questions throughout this hearing and beyond.