GRA Conference, Garda Conference, Westport Mayo

Gardaí are calling for the establishment of an independent police authority to remove what they claim is political interference.

Delegates representing over 11,200 gardaí will gather in Westport, Co Mayo, for the Garda Representative Association's annual conference.

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has not been invited to the conference.

The conference will also hear calls for the establishment of an independent commission to report on pay and conditions in the gardaí.

'Where is the Justice' is the theme of this year's conference.

For the first time, no Minister for Justice has been invited to hear the calls for the Government to initiate the immediate recruitment of gardaí and new legislation to protect frontline workers from assault.

Delegates also want recognition of the fact that gardaí implemented in full all targets set including the new rosters and work time agreement.

They deplore what they say are the attacks on public servants and negotiated agreements and assert that any future cuts in pay or allowances are a breach of the Croke Park agreement.

GRA General Secretary PJ Stone said gardaí are a unique organ of the State not dissimilar in some aspects to judges and should, like them, also be afforded a separate mechanism for negotiations on pay and conditions.

They are also seeking clear guidelines on the detention of people who are drunk in garda stations, demanding that the Government increases the garda fleet and condemns the continued use of single occupancy patrol cars which they say is contrary to the recommendations of the Inspectorate.