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18th February 2009
Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D.
An Taoiseach
Department of the Taoiseach,
Upper Merrion Street,
Dublin 2.
Proposed Pay Cuts – Members of Garda rank
Dear Taoiseach,
I am disappointed that you have not responded to my letter of 9th February 2009. I am further disappointed that you have not seen fit to meet with us to hear our views. The Association was not invited to discuss your government’s proposals. The proposals are unfair and inequitable. The rate at which the levy will be applied disproportionately favours the higher paid. Submissions we were invited to make to the Department would have made significant savings; we were ignored again. I would remind you Taoiseach that members of An Garda Siochana have displayed over the last 48 hours their grit, resolve and courage in tackling thuggery and criminality in Galway and Gorey. I am aware that your Government has congratulated the Garda Siochana on their bravery. This is in stark contrast to you ignoring our plight and has left us with no alternative but to protest outside the Dail this morning and to hold a further protest rally on Wednesday 25th February, 2009.
Further Proposals
The Association is now seeking an immediate introduction of legislation to effectively devalue mortgages by
20% to take account of the reduction of property prices. Public money is refinancing the banking institutions; the very least we expect is regulation to protect those whose personal finances have been reduced by
the 1% levy and by the proposed pension levy. Members are unable their fulfil mortgage repayments with the introduction of this levy.
We are also asking the government to intervene, if necessary by legislation, to ensure that members on fixed
rate mortgages are given the opportunity to switch to variable rates without penalty. We want to ensure that no member of An Garda Síochána is financially threatened. The Association understands the need to cut
overall expenditure given the current economic global uncertainty however this levy is grossly unfair and disproportionate which prejudices the contractual entitlements of its membership.
The Garda Representative Association awaits your response.
Yours faithfully,
P.J. Stone
P. J. Stone
General Secretary
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