Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said he remains open to “professional and respectful engagement” with Gardaí despite not being invited to this year’s Garda Representative Association (GRA) conference.
In a message sent to all Gardaí in February and released this morning, the Commissioner outlined that the Central Executive Committee of the GRA had decided not to invite him to address its Annual Delegate Conference for the second year in a row. The Commissioner’s speech is typically followed by a Question and Answer session with delegates at the conference.
“Regrettably, the Central Executive Committee of the Garda Representative Association has decided not to extend an invitation to me in my capacity as Commissioner to address your Annual Delegate Conference,” Harris said.
“The correspondence informing me of this decision advises that this reflects the views of both the Executive and you, the Gardaí whom they represent.”
He added that he felt it was appropriate to share some of the key points he would have raised at the event, and highlighted various measures that had been introduced by Garda management since the last GRA conference he attended.
“As Commissioner, I have publicly stated my support for legislative acknowledgment of the particular need to deter the assault of Gardaí and I successfully petitioned for the increased penalty from 7 to 12 years for an offence of assaulting a ‘peace officer’ under s.19 (2)(b),” he said.
This was one of several initiatives referenced by Harris, including changes to rosters, increased retirement age, the rollout of body cameras, and improved protective equipment.
“There has been a focused expansion of welfare and support services,” he added.
“Over 3,000 Garda personnel [have been] trained in mental health first aid.”
The Commissioner also noted investments in technology and infrastructure.
“Significant investment [has been made] in technology systems including Investigation Management System, Roster and Duty Management System, and a new Command and Control System (GardaSAFE) that helps increase Garda safety by providing front-line Gardaí with real-time information on potentially high-risk calls for service,” he said.
Harris concluded the message by stating that he remained open to dialogue with Garda associations.
“I remain, as always, open to productive and fruitful engagement with all the Staff Associations, particularly at Annual Conferences, which offer an unparalleled opportunity for professional and respectful engagement.”
The Commissioner’s relationship with the GRA has been strained in recent years. In September 2023, 98.7% of GRA members voted no confidence in Harris, the first vote of its kind in the 100-year history of An Garda Síochána. The dispute was largely centred on proposed changes to Garda rosters.
Despite the outcome, Harris previously stated on Newstalk that he would not resign.
“Whatever the vote is, I’m not leaving,” he said.
Then-Justice Minister Helen McEntee defended the Commissioner at the time, saying he had the full confidence of the government.
“The Commissioner has my full confidence, and that of the government,” McEntee said.
Harris had earlier described the GRA vote as a “kick in the teeth.”
“I am hugely disappointed,” he said.
“It does feel like a real kick in the teeth. But the thing about this is that I am employed to do a job. I am employed to protect the people of Ireland. I am employed to use our resources to maximise the protections that we do provide to the people of Ireland. And that means a change of roster.”