Gardaí cancel planned work to rule action ahead of EU summit

Irish police officers have cancelled a planned work-to-rule industrial action following progress in talks, the Irish Examiner reported. Frontline gardaí had intended to start the action around major European Union presidency events scheduled for the end of the week. The dispute centers on working conditions for officers. [1]

The industrial action was scheduled to coincide with the ninth meeting of the European Political Community in Dublin on Thursday. According to the Irish Examiner, around 50 heads of state are expected to attend the event. The summit will require the largest security operation in the history of the state. [1]

The Garda Representative Association, which represents rank-and-file members of the force, had issued the directive for action to its members before calling it off. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Ireland has seen broader public sector industrial disputes recently, including work-to-rule actions by primary school teachers over pay. [1][2]