Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The AGSI is due to have another round of discussions tomorrow. The Minister might inform us when the GRA is due to meet Department officials. While we do not want to say anything that may jeopardise those ongoing negotiations, it is important for the general public to know what is happening. That is why I put down this Topical Issue in that it gives the Minister the opportunity to reiterate that every opportunity to try to resolve this will be explored. This is not just about pay, as the Minister knows. There are other issues on the table and the AGSI in particular is, for example, seeking the recognition of the European Social Charter, which was ruled on in 2014. I am sure all of that is part of the negotiations.

The Minister said she has met the Garda Commissioner in regard to the contingency plans. Although I am sure she is not going to go into what those contingency plans are, again, it is an opportunity to put on the public record that if the industrial action does go ahead, there are very robust contingency plans being worked on at the moment that will be implemented if necessary.

I want to wish the Department officials, the Minister and the Garda representative bodies every success in trying to resolve this. As the Minister said, no side is going to come out a winner or a loser in this and the only way it is going to be resolved is around the negotiating table. I hope the negotiations bear fruit, hopefully before this Friday but, if not, certainly before the following Friday.

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