Minister under pressure to reverse GRA conference decision

There are further calls on the Justice Minister to reverse her decision to not attend this week's Garda Representative Association Conference. The association, representing rank-and-file members of the force, is holding its annual conference this week. However, Commissioner Drew Harris hasn't been invited, prompting Justice Minister Helen McEntee to turn down her invitation. Fianna Fáil candidate in the European Election and Donegal Senator Niall Blaney feels that instead of turning down the invitation, the Minister should be seeking to resolve the breakdown in relations between the Commissioner and rank-and-file Gardaí: