The Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, has withdrawn a directive issued last week which provided guidance on how to deal with people who identify as transgender or non-binary. The directive had stated that any individual who identifies as a particular gender must be treated as such, including in regards to the use of bathrooms, searches and cell allocation. However, it was withdrawn on Tuesday after the Garda Representative Association expressed concerns over its implementation. The Association said it had not been consulted and claimed that the directive contradicted existing policies.
Meanwhile, a breakaway group within the Garda Representative Association has threatened industrial action during the upcoming visit of US President Donald Trump. The group, which formed amid a dispute over worker rosters, said it wanted to “make our point in relation to the unsatisfactory nature of the current negotiations”. The visit is due to take place in June. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, which is holding its Annual Delegate Conference in Galway, has also not ruled out industrial action.
The conference is expected to address a range of contentious issues facing gardaí, including eviction bans, worker rosters and gender identity. A recent survey by the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors found that 80% of respondents said that unfit working hours had impacted their mental health, with 45% displaying symptoms of anxiety, depression or both.
The roster dispute has also prompted middle-ranking gardaí to vote in favor of withdrawing their labor. A ballot of members of the Garda Representative Association found that 95% of those who responded favored industrial action, with 74% supporting an all-out strike. The dispute concerns changes to rosters which, according to the Association, result in longer working hours without adequate compensation or rest periods. Garda management has denied the claims.
The issue of gender identity has also been divisive within the force. The Garda Commissioner’s directive was criticised by some who claimed it undermined existing policies around searching prisoners and ensuring female officers are not put at risk by being assigned to male-only duties. However, others have praised the directive for promoting inclusivity and respect for diverse identities. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has previously called for the introduction of a specific policy on how to treat transgender and non-binary individuals.
