The Garda Representative Association is preparing to meet with the Justice Minister later for the first time since the formation of the new Government.

The middle-ranking Garda group will be looking for pay to be restored when it meets with Frances Fitzgerald today, according to GRA president Ciarán O’Neill.

Gardaí also want an extra 200 uniformed officers are needed to fill a staff shortage within the force.

Six hundred new recruits will graduate from Garda Training College Templemore this year – but 800 officers are due for retirement.

“We’re going to be talking to her about pay, resources, and also a mechanism for us as members of the GRA to deal with pay and any pay claims,” he said.

“We’re the only body in society that have no place to go when we’re looking to get a pay claim dealt with.

“Pay is certainly the number one issue for our members – that has been quite visible since our conference, that we’re looking for pay to be restored.”