Millions has been spent on a new Garda computer system but members are refusing to use it.
A new Garda computer system called Pulse has now been installed at Garda headquarters in Dublin at a cost of forty million pounds to date. However rank and file members of the Gardaí are refusing to use the new system. The operation of Pulse was part of a productivity deal which was rejected by rank and file Gardaí.
It’s Y2K compliant and has been linked up to Garda stations throughout the country to supply them with criminal records as well as information on vehicle thefts and firearms licences.
The old computer system will be switched off at midnight. The information held on the system has been downloaded onto paper as Gardaí will now depend on written records until an agreement is met on the operation of the new Pulse system.
Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne hopes to see this industrial relations problem is solved shortly as he believes it is unacceptable that Gardaí would not have access to a computerised system.
PJ Stone General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association believes that a compromise must be met in the spirit of partnership so that the benefits of the new Pulse system can be maximised.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 23 November 1999. The reporter is Tom MacCaughren.
