Garda work-to-rule action cancelled ahead of European Political Community summit

A planned work‑to‑rule action by gardaí this week has been called off.

Frontline officers were set to adopt the action from Tuesday 10 November to Saturday 14 November, coinciding with the ninth meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) in Dublin, where about 50 heads of state will attend.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) had directed its members to work to rule over a dispute concerning conditions, claiming Garda management was breaching the working‑time agreement, particularly regarding break periods between shifts. The GRA, which operates as a professional association rather than a trade union, had taken the step after a member vote.

On Monday night the GRA’s Central Executive Committee voted to stand down the work‑to‑rule position, saying “significant progress” had been made in talks with Garda commissioner Justin Kelly.

The cancellation comes as the state prepares for the largest security operation in its history to protect the EPC summit.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: SHOX ART / Pexels.