The Garda Representative Association has accused the Garda Commissioner of being excessively harsh when disciplining gardaí and has said new disciplinary regulations will enable Drew Harris to sack gardaí without restraint.
The association, which represents over 11,000 rank-and-file gardaí, says the majority of Commissioner Harris's recent decisions to dismiss gardaí have been overturned on appeal.
However, it says changes to the composition of the Appeal Board under the new regulations due to be introduced on 1 January 2025 will remove this safeguard by removing employee representation.
It describes the Commissioner’s record in relation to discipline as one of "excessive harshness".
The GRA also warns that "handing unfettered reign to the Garda Commissioner to terminate the employment of members’ unchecked ... will not be well received."
It also says the new discipline regulations mean there will no longer be a mechanism to deal with minor complaints, breaches of discipline or performance against gardaí and this will result in a "vacuum."
The association says it has written to the Garda Commissioner seeking clarity on how he plans to deal with minor conduct or performance issues but has not yet received a response.
It has also written to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee seeking an "urgent meeting" to address these issues.
All four garda associations, representing all gardaí up to the rank of Chief Superintendent, have criticised the introduction of the new disciplinary and conduct regulations because they say they do not respect their members' rights and classify all misconduct as major.
Garda Headquarters said this evening that as part of an engagement process under the Department of Justice, garda management continues to engage with all stakeholders on the revised discipline and conduct regulations as proposed under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
It said that as of the 31 October 2024, there were 86 members of An Garda Síochána suspended - the lowest number of suspensions in over three years.
