The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has today welcomed the statement by the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell in relation to new regulations for the force in terms of recruitment, retirement age and Garda resourcing.

The Association is particularly pleased with the announced increase in the retirement age from 57 to 60 years. For many years this Association has maintained that the retirement age of 57 was leading to a large loss of experience and leadership from the force.

We also look forward to Gardai finally being able to work with a modern and secure radio network and a fleet of patrol cars that are suitable for the rigours of modern policing.

However the Association hopes that today's announcements will be followed up with a swift implementation plan as opposed to the slow and inefficient delivery of resources which has to date been the hallmark of this administration.

"Unfortunately it is too little, too late. This should all have been done as a matter of course a long time ago so that we don't find ourselves in the position that we are now in," says GRA General Secretary PJ Stone.
ENDS