Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

Our amendment No. 29 proposes the deletion of section 17(3). The purpose of the amendment is to delete the statutory prohibition on members of the Garda Síochána being members of a trade union. That prohibition is excessively restrictive on the right of freedom of association of members of the Garda Síochána and is not fitting in modern times. I do not understand the reason members of the Garda Síochána cannot be members of a trade union just like members of the Civil Service and so on. I would like the Minister to reconsider including this subsection and accepting our amendment.