Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Kenny. It is important we have appropriate and modern Garda rosters. We need gardaí to be available when people need them. Often this is at night-time and weekends. We also need rosters that respect the need for work-life balance and ensure we continue to be able to recruit and retain gardaí. There is a balance to be struck in this regard. There was a long process of engagement on this involving management and staff. There was an independent chair. A proposal was published on 15 August. The Commissioner, the chief superintendents and the superintendents accepted the recommendations of the independent chair. However, the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors rejected the recommendation of the independent chair. The Garda Commissioner has asked the WRC to intervene. This is the right approach. The WRC is the Government office that works to resolve industrial relations disputes. This is where it will go and I hope it will be sorted out there.

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