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The Justice Minister Heather Humphreys has said she supports Garda Commissioner Drew Harris over plans to randomly drug-test Gardaí.
Under new proposals, drug testing will start for all Garda personnel in approximately six months.
Gardaí who test positive for a controlled substance will face dismissal and possible prosecution.
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The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) has criticised the move.
Its General-Secretary Antoinette Cunningham said: AGSI supports any initiative that builds public trust and confidence. We recognise that members of An Garda Síochána should be above reproach in the exercise of their duties. For that reason we broadly support the introduction of polices which can enhance these matters.
Updated / Sunday, 4 Apr 2021
17:24
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has said the Government must consider an occupational vaccine roll-out programme for frontline high-risk jobs to be run alongside the age-based vaccine programme.
Speaking on RTÉ s This Week, AGSI General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham said it should not be a difficulty to get all gardaí vaccinated, adding that the confrontational and high-risk job they do speaks for itself .
Ms Cunningham said the AGSI cannot understand why the undertakings given to the association by the Minster for Justice, in that gardaí should be vaccinated as soon as possible, could not be adhered to.