The garda associations have accused the Department of Justice of rushing in new disciplinary and conduct regulations, which they say do not respect their members rights and classify all misconduct as major.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) and Garda Representative Association (GRA) which represent gardaí, sergeants and inspectors, the majority of gardaí, have said the regulations which are due to be implemented next month are not transparent or clear and do not allow for a right of appeal.
Both associations said they were extremely concerned about new conduct, standards and performance regulations being drafted by the Department of Justice to be introduced next month.
They said the regulations will not address minor behavioural or discipline issues and that these will be categorised as misconduct or gross misconduct, which subsequently carry penalties ranging from the deduction of two weeks wages up to and including dismissal.
There is no right of appeal because the Appeals Board will be removed, the associations said, and the Garda Commissioner will have the power to withhold documentation.
There is, they said, no clear and transparent criteria for the assessment of categories of discipline and no clear and concise process surrounding the procedures to be used.
They said their dominant concern was that the regulations were being progressed too quickly, thereby prohibiting the appropriate scrutiny to ensure they were correct and fit for purpose.
The national executive of the GRA met earlier this week to raise its concerns, while the AGSI is meeting again later today.
The associations also said the introduction of the regulations in their current format will diminish the human rights of members "effectively rendering them second-class citizens".
The GRA was particularly concerned about the roles and functions of garda staff and said civilians cannot have any involvement in the investigation or determination of proceedings involving a garda as there was no supervisory system in existence and no equivalence between the civil service and garda rank structures.
They have, they said, raised these issues with the Department of Justice, but their concerns are being ignored.
The Department of Justice says the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland recommended that the current system of garda discipline be reviewed and replaced with a system that distinguished between misconduct and performance related issues.
It said the department had already resolved a number of matters with the garda associations and continues to engage with them with a view to resolving the outstanding issues.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has written to the four garda associations, including those representing superintendents and chief superintendents, asking all gardaí not to comment on matters of a political nature that could impact on the forthcoming General Election.
Mr Harris said this was to ensure An Garda Síochána's status as a non-political organisation.
