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

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. At the outset I want to say that I support the gardaí and the work they are doing. In particular today, I want to commend the phenomenal work done by An Garda, the Defence Forces, the Revenue Commissioners and the customs service in interdicting a vessel off Wexford which may be the biggest interdiction of illegal drugs in Irish history. That would not have happened without An Garda, the Defence Forces, the Revenue Commissioners and, indeed, international partners. This is an example of the kind of work they are doing.

I support the Garda Commissioner who was appointed and reappointed by the Government and who, of course, has our support. It is worth pointing out that there have been lots of talks and negotiations on the roster. In fact, the Commissioner extended the temporary Covid roster 13 times while seeking a resolution and an agreement on it. The only way to resolve differences is through talking and engagement and if it cannot be sorted out bilaterally - sometimes these things cannot be sorted out bilaterally between unions and management - it goes to the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, or to the Labour Court. The gardaí fought very hard for the right to go to the WRC or to the Labour Court. That is what should happen. That is how disputes across the public and private sectors are resolved all of the time and it seems the logical thing that should happen. There should be short focused talks at the WRC resulting in agreement which will then be put to members to ballot upon. I believe that is possible in the timeframe that is left.

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