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

I note the Minister wants this issue resolved and I share that hope. However, it is not going to happen unless the Government enters into talks with the two associations to resolve the matter. It is also important to point out that this situation is creating some bizarre anomalies. For instance, the top grade of a Garda inspector is now higher than the starting position of a superintendent by between €4,000 and €6,000 and this does not take into account overtime for which inspectors are eligible but for which superintendents are not eligible. It raises the question as to why any inspector would want to apply for promotion to the position of superintendent if he or she is going to be paid less. There is also a deficit in the new pay deal for the majority of superintendents in that, as they can now retire and claim their pension, they are faced with the dilemma that they have a permanent pension levy, and the absence of the pay deal applying to superintendents and chief superintendents means there is a significant risk they will retire early as a result of the failure to apply this precedent.

This is a problem that needs to resolved promptly. I think we all agree in the House that superintendents and chief superintendents are at the forefront of the challenge to change An Garda Síochána. We need their co-operation. This odd example where precedent is not followed needs to be departed from and the Minister needs to ensure that pay rises within An Garda Síochána apply to all ranks and not to some ranks.

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