Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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219. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her responsibilities and or role in respect of the legal framework of Garda staff associations. [32249/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda representative associations have been established to represent members of An Garda Síochána and their interests, for instance with regard to pay, pensions and conditions of employment.

I can inform the Deputy that section 122 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides that the Minister may, after consulting with the Garda Commissioner and with the approval of the Government, make regulations for the management of the Garda Síochána, including regulations relating to the formation of Garda representative associations and matters relating to the role, status and carrying out of business within the Garda Síochána of those associations.

There are four Garda associations, each of which has been set up in accordance with regulations. A number of amendments to each of these regulations have been brought forward over time.

Any changes being made to existing regulations, or new regulations, require consultation with the Policing Authority and the Garda Commissioner and must be brought by the Minister for Justice to cabinet for approval.