Varadkar: People won't look at gardaí the same if they go on strike
People will never look at the gardaí the same way again if planned strikes go ahead, according to Minister Leo Varadkar.
The Tánaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald is briefing the Cabinet this morning on plans to deal with the upcoming industrial action.
Around 2,000 sergeants and inspectors and 10,000 rank-and-file gardaí will strike over four days next month as part of a pay restoration row.
Minister Varadkar said he hopes a deal can be reached with the GRA and the AGSI.
He said: "Obviously we all hope that strike can be avoided, I do think that if the strike does go ahead that people won't ever look at the gardaí in the same way.
"It's only a week or two ago that sergeants and inspectors voted by 70% to accept the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
"I hope it's (the Cabinet meeting) less about contingency planning today and more about how we can make sure this is resolved."
Gardaí are still adamant that what they are doing does not qualify as a strike.
They say "not reporting for duty" will not break any rules, and AGSI President Antoinette Cunningham says politicians are actually the ones at fault.
She said: "Government are bringing the uniform into disrepute and I do lay the blame firmly on them.
"Government have a massive responsibility, we are the only police organisation in the state of Ireland and Government ministers need to sit up a little straighter in their chair and say 'what can we do to stop the damage?'."
