A senior Garda body has refused to rule out a “blue flu” day of action during US President Joe Biden’s visit next week — as the Minister for Justice said it would be “unhelpful”.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) spoke out as Secret Service and gardai were spotted checking out Leinster House ahead of a possible address by the American leader there on either the Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of his trip here. AGSI is currently locked in a row with Garda management before the Workplace Relations Commission over proposed changes to rosters.
Speaking at the AGSI annual conference in Salthill in Galway yesterday, General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham said that “anything and everything at this point in time” is in the hands of its members. President Biden, 80, will land in Ireland next week amid a huge security operation as he travels to Dublin, Mayo, Louth and Northern Ireland as the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement is marked.
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All leave has been cancelled for gardai for a five-day period. But gardai may hold a “blue flu” day of action during the visit — where large numbers call in sick.
Ms Cunningham said: “I think anything and everything at this point in time is in the hands of the delegates. By lunchtime tomorrow I will have a very clear view of what the delegates wish to do.”
Minister for Justice Simon Harris says that it is up to the AGSI to take whatever action they decide. But he added: “I certainly hope it doesn’t come to that. I think that would be unhelpful.”
Last week, AGSI made a number of suggestions on how the current impasse on rosters could be resolved, but Commissioner Drew Harris — who will attend the conference today — rejected its suggestions. The proposed working time agreement has been shot down by both the Garda Representative Association and AGSI.
The Commissioner referred the roster dispute to the Workplace Relations Commission earlier this year. Ms Cunningham said: “We will be discussing the impasse that currently exists.
“There’s only one way to resolve and that’s through dialogue so we can resolve this dispute.” The Minister insisted that it is not for him to intervene but said: “This will only be solved by engagement.”
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Yesterday, a large number of gardaí and members of the American Secret Service were in the Leinster House complex. It is understood that at one stage, one Secret Service Officer and five to six gardaí were inspecting a bridge that connects Leinster House to Government Buildings.
A spokesperson for the Houses of the Oireachtas told The Star last week there were “no plans at the moment” for President Biden to address the Dail and confirmed yesterday that there was “no update” on these remarks. However, one source said that it is now nearly guaranteed that Mr Biden will address the Dail. Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl was last week given permission to organise a speech in the Dail chamber while TDs are on a two-week break from Leinster House.
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