[1][2] Irish law prohibits members of the Garda Siochana from joining trade unions because of a view from Government that police industrial action would pose a risk to public safety.
Unlike the previous body, the GRA is constituted as an independent unincorporated association, albeit it is required to comply with the provisions of the establishing regulations.
After the Federation merged back into the GRA in 1997, the association took a strong line in negotiations with Garda management, culminating, in May 1998, in a coordinated "blue flu" campaign.
This involved Garda members making themselves unavailable for duty by calling in sick en masse, and was described by one national newspaper as "“the first major industrial action in the force's 75 year history.
"[8] In July 2023, the GRA announced that rank-and-file Gardaí would be balloted on a motion of no-confidence in the Garda Commissioner over roster disputes.