McDowell not for turning on Garda Reserve
Justice Minister Michael McDowell tonight insisted he was determined to press ahead with the controversial Garda Reserve.
Despite not reaching any middle ground with rank and file officers, Mr McDowell said he had the support of the Garda Commissioner, superintendents, the Oireachtas and the public.
Following intensive discussions with the Garda Representative Association, the minister said gardaí had a duty to abide by new rules, regulations or duties set down.
“It is my intention to proceed with the establishment of the reserve force,” he said.
“It is not a question of they don’t like it they have to put up with it, it’s a question of this is what the Oireachtas have decided, this is what the Irish people overwhelmingly favour.
“It is not a question of you can like it or lump it. It’s a question of me being willing to talk to anybody who has a contribution to make as to how a reserve should function.”
A contrite Mr McDowell stressed while there was no meeting of minds with the GRA he was not in finger wagging mode, but warned a policy of ignoring or marginalising volunteers would not be accepted.
Mr McDowell also moved to assure gardai that reservists would play no part in interrogating suspects, presenting evidence to court or other complex duties. He said the professionalism of An Garda Siochana would not be dented.
“This notion, which has been frequently spoken about, that people with no training would be asked to do your jobs is simply not so,” he said.
The minister revealed he put forward a comprehensive presentation on the reserve. And it was also suggested that a survey be carried out to assess the full policing needs of the country.
It also emerged that the retirement age for gardai may be extended by three years to 60. Currently officers must quit at 57 but that could be put off if they agree to mentor or supervise future reservists.
PJ Stone, general secretary of the GRA, said it was something that would have to be considered fully, but he insisted members were determined to fight the reserve plan.
“We are committed to the view that An Garda Siochana and the Government must provide adequate resources to ensure that the force works to its optimum,” Mr Stone said.
“We are not satisfied that while the best efforts of the minister in this regard might be to bring us to that plateau that that is happening, or will happen within a time structure or a timeframe which is necessarily appropriate.
“To that end we are not convinced that the issue of a Garda Reserve at this time is not, as we have always maintained, a substitute for proper policing.”
Mr Stone said the force was not being fully resourced and reiterated the GRA’s demand for a survey to assess the policing needs of the country.
He went on: “What is clear in my position is that we have not altered or changed our route, but that does not necessarily mean that there should be collision.
“There is always room within any situation for dialogue, discussion and hopefully we can convince all and sundry, including government, that there is another more appropriate approach to this.”
But Mr McDowell insisted he had spent his time as Justice Minister fighting like a tiger for extra resources for officers.
And he added: “The real thing is now do we want a force that is replete with roots in the community or do we continue to carry on as we are now as one of the small number of countries without a reserve force?” he said.
