Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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190. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding entitlements for An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20080/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Pay issues for public servants are currently determined within the constraints set by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Acts 2009-2015 while the industrial relations environment is managed under the terms of the Public Service Agreement 2013-2018 (Lansdowne Road Agreement).

My colleague with direct responsibility for matters relating to the terms and conditions of An Garda Síochána, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, and her officials, along with officials of my Department, have had discussions with the Garda Representative Association (GRA) over the last number of weeks aimed at facilitating their engagement with the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The Tánaiste has indicated that she believes that there is a pathway to progress on these issues and her Department remains available to work with the GRA. I believe that it would be in the best interests of their members and An Garda Síochána as a whole for the GRA to engage on issues of mutual concern, and am taking a direct interest in the outcome of those discussions.

I note in that context that the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) decided last week to re-ballot their membership with a recommendation to accept the Lansdowne Road Agreement following such engagement.