Minister must attend GRA Conference and listen to Rank-and-File Gardaí
Labour’s Justice spokesperson Alan Kelly TD has called on the Minister for Justice to attend the Garda Representative Association’s (GRA) annual conference and engage directly with the concerns of rank-and-file members of An Garda Síochána.
Deputy Kelly said:
“With the recruitment and retention in crisis, Garda numbers falling, and frontline officers left without basic resources, Government can’t continue to kick the can down the road. The reality is clear – there is a deep disconnect between frontline Gardaí and the top brass.
“We’ve heard shocking reports of Gardaí being left without vehicles and basic equipment. How can we expect them to do their jobs effectively when they’re not given the tools or support they need? This isn’t just an issue for Gardaí – it’s an issue for every community in Ireland.
“We recognise the significance of the GRA’s decision, for the second year in a row, not to invite the Garda Commissioner to their conference. It is a stark signal of the growing frustration among rank-and-file members. This is why it is imperative that the Minister for Justice does not repeat the mistake of disengagement.
“The decision by the GRA to snub the Commissioner is a wake-up call – one that this Government can’t afford to ignore. Every day, frontline Gardaí are telling us they feel unheard, unsupported, and overworked. The Minister for Justice must attend this conference and listen directly to those on the frontline. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty.”