Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to know that the working group is up and running. It is important to consider how best members of An Garda Síochána can access industrial relations mechanisms. They should have that access. At the end of last year, we faced a difficult prospect for this country when strike action was threatened by a number of Garda associations. In fairness to them, they probably had to threaten that because they did not have access to the full industrial relations mechanism. However, it is a difficult and dangerous situation for the public if members of An Garda Síochána can go on strike.

I remain of the view that section 59 of the Garda Síochána Act precludes members of An Garda Síochána from going on strike. There was much debate at the time as to whether or not that was so. In light of any ambiguity that may exist in respect of section 59, does the Tánaiste propose to bring forward legislation to expressly outlaw strikes in An Garda Síochána?

See this speech in context