Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The country is facing an unprecedented withdrawal of labour on the part of rank and file gardaí and higher-level sergeants and inspectors the day after tomorrow. This very dangerous situation is quite unprecedented. Since the foundation of the State, An Garda Síochána has been the glue that has held our society together through many dark moments. Indeed, many gardaí have given their lives in the course of their duties to protect their fellow citizens. Breaking the law is not intrinsic to them. It is the last thing they would want to do. In my view, it is dangerous and should not be an option. This strike should not go ahead because An Garda Síochána is truly the rock upon which our democracy is built. Having said that, this dispute has been allowed to drag on for far too long. The Garda Representative Association, GRA, was told it is not a trade union and was promised this, that and the other. However, it has been left at the back of a long queue for far too long. Rank and file gardaí feel isolated, demoralised and ignored. Their numbers have been depleted and their pay has been reduced. Their legitimate grievances have been compounded by the rudderless nature of the Department of Justice and Equality, which has had difficulties in filling top positions and, in terms of how Government works, essentially has not been in a position to deal with the issues that have affected gardaí in recent years. We are all very aware of those issues.

I put it to the Taoiseach that many people are quite fearful of what may ensue if the strike goes ahead. Should businesses, banks and post offices open? Citizens are fearful of what will transpire as they go about their daily lives. These issues have been left on the back burner for far too long. Why did it take so long to bring them to the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC? The resolution of this problem is now in the hands of the Labour Court. It is imperative that the recommendations of the Labour Court should be put to a ballot. All members of An Garda Síochána should be balloted on the court's recommendations. I ask the Taoiseach to indicate whether that is his understanding of what may transpire. It is nobody's interests, least of all those of An Garda Síochána, for a strike to take place on Friday.

I think every effort should now be made notwithstanding the belated nature of what has been going on in the past week. Every opportunity should be taken to ensure that this strike is averted. In my view, untold damage will be done and we must all collectively ensure that an institution of the State, which has been central to its foundation and emergence from the ashes of the Civil War and right through dark periods, is held intact and that the State responds to the situation that is now emerging.

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