GRA: Justice Minister 'disingenuous'
The Garda Representative Association has accused the Justice Minister Alan Shatter of being "disingenuous" over the garda pay dispute.
Mr Shatter yesterday accused the GRA of disrespecting the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and not engaging in the talks process.
However, in a statement this afternoon, GRA General Secretary PJ Stone said the rank-and-file garda union has been "excluded" from the talks from the outset and never showed any disrespect towards Mr Kenny.
The union said it has no other option but to continue its protests.
Mr Stone said: "It is disingenuous of the Minister to talk about our members re-entering talks when he knows full well that we have always been excluded from the main pay talks.
"It would be more constructive if common sense were allowed to prevail, and a new mechanism is established where policing and issues of garda morale could be discussed in a meaningful and fruitful manner.
"The Minister continues to assure the public and his political colleagues that garda morale is good; yet at no time has he provided evidence to support this assertion. A survey of 1,000 members is academically necessary to underpin such a notion."
