The newly formed Government will experience a rough first day in office after the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors have confirmed they will march on the Dáil on in a demonstration to highlight their calls for pay restoration.
The march comes after the AGSI called on its members to join together and voice their disapproval at current pay and conditions just last month. The move for organised action was confirmed last night when the AGSI revealed that a staggering 86% of Garda officers voted in favour of demonstrative action.
According to the general secretary of the AGSI John Jacob: “The AGSI is seen as a soft touch by government because of our restrictions to strike under the Garda Síochána Act, however, there are actions that we can take that will hopefully have our concerns taken seriously.”
Reports say a number of notices have been placed in Garda stations around the country this week, which informs its members that the association have planned a protest on the 17 May, the day the new government returns to the Dáil.
It is understood that the protest will begin at Castle Street beside Dublin Castle at 11am before proceeding to the Dáil at 12pm. However officers will not march in uniform, after original reports suggested that a uniformed protest will take, although everyone taking part has been urged to wear something blue.