Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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159. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason he declined to attend the annual Garda Representative Association, GRA, conference; if he acknowledges his responsibility to hear the concerns of those in the GRA, especially considering the 2023 vote of no confidence in the Garda Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24170/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Annual Delegate Conferences (ADCs) of the four Garda Associations are important events which provide an opportunity for the Associations to raise the concerns of their members and for me, as Minister, and the Commissioner as leader of An Garda Síochána to respond to those concerns and to outline our respective views on policing and related matters.

I regret therefore, the decision of Executive of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) not to invite the Commissioner to this year's Conference and I regret that, in turn, I could not therefore attend. I was pleased to have the opportunity to attend the ADC of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors in Killarney in early April and I also look forward to attending the ADCs of the Association of Garda Superintendents and the Association of Garda Chief Superintendents in September.

That said, there are many opportunities for engagement with the GRA and soon after my appointment I met representatives of their Executive in February. My officials and the Garda Industrial Relations team also engage regularly with the GRA through the processes that are in place.

In my view, open constructive dialogue between the Garda Associations, Garda management and my Department are central to the on-going reform and modernisation of An Garda Síochána and I look forward to continuing to engage with the Associations over the coming years.