Taoiseach confident EU summit will be policed properly

The Taoiseach has said he is confident that this week's EU summit will be policed properly.

Rank-and-file gardaí will engage in work-to-rule action this week, coinciding with a major EU Presidency meeting of leaders in Dublin on Friday.

The work-to-rule, which is being staged over dissatisfaction with garda working conditions, will commence tomorrow and run until Saturday.

The work-to-rule will coincide with the European Political Convention on Thursday, as well as the informal meeting of the EU heads of state on Friday.

Around 50 European leaders are due to attend meetings of the European political community in the Convention Centre on Dublin's North Wall Quay on Thursday and Friday.

Every bus route in the city is expected to be affected by knock-on traffic disruption associated with road closures and diversions due to the event, and people are being asked to consider if their plans in Dublin on Thursday and Friday are necessary.

Asked about the Garda Representative Association’s planned work-to-rule tomorrow, Micheál Martin said the event on Thursday represented the largest security operation in the history of the State and "so it is extremely important that all hands are on deck this week".

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Read more: Major traffic disruption expected in Dublin during EU meetings

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Mr Martin paid tribute to the gardaí for their preparations in recent months.

"I think the hosting of the EU Presidency has been an enormous task. Our Garda Síochána have prepared well for it, our Defence Forces have, and our National Cyber Security Centre as well. So, I pay tribute to all involved."

He also thanked the Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly who he said "has led the force very ably and in a caring way also".

He said he was confident that the events will go off properly and that the meetings of EU leaders will be fruitful and productive.

'We are overworked, we are underappreciated,' says GRA

Mr Martin's comments come as GRA President Niall Hodgins said the work-to-rule by members will go ahead tomorrow.

"Regrettably, our work-to-rule is still going ahead for the EPC event tomorrow, the European Summit Convention here in Dublin. Our issues have been dragging on with garda senior management for many, many, many months, and this matter could have been sorted out months ago.

"But what have we seen there now in the last number of months since the European Presidency, we have seen guards have been treated appallingly. Their basic entitlements to rest and time off has been trampled on since the beginning of the European presidency. And unfortunately, and regrettably, we're at this situation," Niall Hodgins said.

Mr Hodgins said members will not use their own private cars for work.

"Well, as I say, there is certain goodwill that our members generally give to garda management with regards to utilising their own cars to get themselves from, say, point A to point B.

"So we've undertaken there now that our members will not use their private cars, and it is now the responsibility of garda management to get our members from point A to point B during this particular operation.

"We are overworked, we are underappreciated, and our members are exhausted, and we've simply had enough," he said.

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said he is appealing to members of the gardaí to "do the best as they've always done" this week.

"I want to commend the work that's been done by the gardaí, and I think the gardaí will take their leadership from the Commissioner when it comes to the events of this week.

"And there's mechanisms in place to deal with any issues that are of concern in the industrial relations context for members of the gardaí, and I'd appeal to them on the basis of the national issue, the national interest that's at stake this week, to do their best as they've always done," Mr O'Callaghan said.