Several well known personalities from Irish politics have shown concern for some members of the Gardai, whom they claim are ‘living in poverty’ due to poor wages.
Deputy TD Mick Wallace, for instance, said in the Dáil that he doesn’t know how the State expects officers to survive on €23,000 a year, adding that pay has been repeatedly reduced without proper debate.
Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh added his opinion, raising calls for action to be taken on the issue. He warned union figures showed 1,300 of PDFORRA’s 6,500 members qualify for the family income supplement with “many living in poverty”.
There is an ongoing row between the EU and the Government as to whether or not some sectors such as Gardai or the military should be allowed to strike.
In response to this, the Department of Justice has consistently warned that Garda strike action could pose severe “security concerns” to society as a whole.