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TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR said the work roster for gardaí needs to change as many gardaí “are often not rostered when they are needed”.
Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Varadkar said members want to see an increase in garda visibility and called for a change in the rostering system.
He said this may mean people working unsocial hours.
“We will need changes in rostering. Gardaí are often not rostered when they are needed, something that can happen in the health service too. There might be many people on duty when it is relatively busy but when it is extremely busy there are not so many people on duty.
“That may mean asking people to do rosters that they consider to be anti-social, but if we care about society we must have staff in the Garda, the health service and in other areas rostered on duty when society needs them.”
He said he hoped TDs would be supportive of the Garda Commissioner and the government in making those reforms become a reality.
While he said there are 600 more gardaí now than two years ago, he added that it is not just about staff and resources, stating:
Things can be done with existing staff levels to increase visibility, such as greater civilianisation. Many gardaí are not out in public where people can see them because they are behind desks and in offices. That has to change. We will need co-operation from the Garda Representative Association (GRA) and others with regard to civilianisation [of the police force].
Reacting to the Taoiseach’s remarks, John O’Keeffe, GRA spokesman told TheJournal.ie:
“The Garda Representative Association notes Dr Varadkar’s comments in relation to Garda rosters and his comments more generally on same.
“The issue of Garda rosters is the subject of ongoing negotiations between the GRA and Garda management and so the association is not in a position to comment further at this time.”
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Great to see President Clinton looking so well at 71 after all the stories about I’ll health in recent years.
@Donal Hanley: just heard him on the radio, he doesn’t sound that well
@Donal Hanley: He looks ghastly.
Why was Denis O’Brien at the event?
@Michael Lang: well, there goes the “comment closed” train if anyone answers that!
@Gulliver Foyle: FG supporters always go very quiet and slightly menacing if I raise Denis O’Brien in polite company.
@Michael Lang: O’Brien is good friends with the Clintons.
@Daniel Donovan: and did Denis O’Brien play a role in the Good Friday Agreement?
@Michael Lang: No! Try Haiti. The Clinton Foundation. Donations. Contracts. The lack of rebuilding in Haiti despite millions pouring in is sickening. Bill Clinton was appointed to spearhead the re development. Not a lot has been done.
@Michael Lang: Quiet and menacing account tje same time? That’s quote a feat.
@John Campbell: And lowry still has his seat. what’s wrong with the voters in tipperary north?
@Michael Lang: he sorted the boys out with mobile phones
3 items with Billy Clinton in the journal in the one day! Is he thinking of running for Micheal D’s job
All this back slapping is vomit enducing, there maybe peace “of sorts” but the inherent despising of both communicaties of each other is palpable. The cost of maintaining this farcical truce has been obscene, either through outrageous subsidising or schemes that earn trouble makers vast sums to behave themselves. Interesting also, Clinton and Ahern taking all the credit, both of dubious and flawed character.
@Joseph Dempsey: ask the people who weren’t murdered over the last 20 years if they think it was worth it.
@Joseph Dempsey: I was sceptical at the time and I voted against it. I grew up in the border region and wasn’t happy that men who had murdered people I knew were going to be freed from prison after serving very little time. But while that still bothers me I am happy to say that I was wrong for voting no because the positives have far outweighed the negatives and peace has lasted. I didn’t think it would.
The right politicians were in power at the right time. No way would Trump, May, Leo, O’Neill and Foster have had the balls or the know-how to do what those guys did. The current crop would never even have gotten around a table.
Yea it was a fantastic agreement but something new is needed, the shower up the road care more for Language Acts, Flags and Parades than governing. The Bomb maybe out of politics up there but the two communities still have major issues with each other.
We need the middle ground to rise again up there or a party that is not stuck in the past and can attract voters from both sides.
@Philip Morgan: The middle ground is knowing how better Ireland would be as one sovereign nation, recognising the diversity of cultures and working hard to make Ireland a better place for everyone. One hundred years on from partition we must count the cost of division and look to a better future. No point in celebrating anything until we recognise the mistakes made by earlier generations and make an effort to fix Ireland.
Tells a terrible analogy & manages to spoil black panther at the same time. Keep on trucking bill
This is what my college fees are going towards? Joke…
tiresome back slapping pike of self congratulatory nonsense, however bill at least managed to stay awake. Just curious has anyone noticed, nothing has actually REALLY changed. Bertie has some neck all the same, at least clinton was gracious enough to mention both John Major and Albert Reynolds, both of whom actually started the process, mean while outside, bigoted Peter Robinson couldn’t contain his hatred “how’s the missus Peter? still got a large small on her face??
I don’t watch many films, can anyone expand on the why bill is like a panther who’s specific colour is blank, unlike all the other panthers I’ve seen :-/
have your say