Garda strike comparisons
Senators debated the planned Garda strike, with Ó Domhnaill insisting gardaí were different from other public workers because of their frontline role. Others interjected to challenge comparisons and the seriousness of the dispute.
It is absolutely different. No comparison can be made between emergency response teams, whether they are firefighters, ambulance personnel or gardaí, and other public sector workers and it is unfair to do so because they are the first line of protection, when required. I ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to intervene. There is no trade union to represent gardaí, although they have their representative bodies. Low-paid firefighters were dealt with heretofore, but the demands of gardaí have not been met or dealt with. We cannot have a trade-off or a stand-off heading into November, before Christmas, when the dark nights of winter are approaching and elderly people are frightened in their homes owing to this situation. It is imperative that the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality deal with the issue. Will the Leader to facilitate a debate on it in the House with the Tánaiste next week or the week after, if possible?
Comment on this
The Senator was not listening.