The AGSI says it is up to the Garda Commissioner to organise emergency cover for next month’s garda strikes.
While the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors says they are not advocating a strike, individual members will be withdrawing their labour for the four Fridays in November.
They are joining the 10,000 GRA members – who have asked specialist units to turn up for duty to protect citizens.
AGSI President Antoinette Cunningham says that is a matter for Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan: “I think any issue around emergency cover is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I think it’s the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to approach AGSI if that’s what the Commissioner want’s to do and discuss emergency cover with us but we would be asking you to deflect that question to the Commissioner.
6 dates of industrial action announced #AGSIpay 21, 28 Oct & 4 Fridays in November
— AGSI (@AGSI_Ireland) October 17, 2016
The General Secretary of AGSI, John Jacob, explains how Friday’s move will impact on the public: “I don’t think that the public will see any significant change on the two Friday’s coming.
“Its internal disruption of Garda activities so our members not logging onto Pulse will mean that there won’t be any supervision of investigation files on the system.
“Our not dealing with administration will mean that files won’t be processed and criminal crime files won’t be processed, administration won’t be done.
So that’s not going to impact on the public but it will create awareness in Government’s mind that we are serious.
President @antoabs getting support from two young fans Tomas & Aoibhinn #family #AGSIpay pic.twitter.com/N0kC48sqXk
— AGSI (@AGSI_Ireland) October 17, 2016
