Westmeath garda morale 'non-existent' says GRA rep
Morale among Westmeath’s rank and file gardaí is “non-existent”, according to the local representative of the Garda Representative Association (GRA).
The GRA’s annual conference began this morning (Tuesday) in Killarney. Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner yesterday, Monday, afternoon, local GRA representative Gda Conor Staunton says that the message he would be taking to Kerry is that the local members of the force “have had enough” after eight years of reduced pay and understaffing.
“There’s no point in kidding ourselves, saying anything other than morale is extremely low or non-existent,” Gda Staunton said.
There are a number of factors affecting garda morale, the Moate based officer said – pay being the main source of discontent.
“There’s the two-tier pay structure for new recruits which has to be addressed. Paying them a starting salary of €23,000 is a non-runner and has to be sorted out.
“We (officers who were recruited prior to the recruitment embargo) are looking to get our own pay restored to pre-2008 levels. Restoration is the key word here,” Gda Staunton said.
Last week, gardaí in Westmeath and the rest of the country voted overwhelmingly to reject proposed changes to their rostering system. He says that the rejection had nothing to do with the mooted changes.
“It had more to do with the need to talk about pay. Everything is parked until there is full pay restoration.”
“There are dangers that we face on a daily basis and we believe our pay should reflect those dangers. I’ve said it before, we have the only public sector job where you put on a stab-proof vest and a utility belt before you start,” he said.
Staffing levels are also something that need to be addressed after the five-year recruitment embargo, Gda Staunton says.
“Recruitment has started again but it’s going to take years to get the manpower up to a functional level. Westmeath’s gardaí are really feeling it, people can’t leave and there are issues with holidays. It’s one thing after another and it’s what has morale at its lowest since I joined the force.”
Gda Staunton says that the government has ignored the plight of ordinary members of the force for the last five years and this has contributed to feelings of “disillusionment” and “anger”.