Why become a GRA representative

Why Become a Representative

Elections are upcoming for District and Divisional GRA Representatives and I would genuinely encourage all members to consider putting their name forward for a role that gives a real understanding of how the Association assists ordinary members in their careers, and how it deals with AGS management and government on your behalf. The options are limitless and have proved extremely rewarding for our proud representatives at District and Divisional level right across the country.

Myself, our President Mark O’Meara, Vice President Niall Hodgins, Deputy GS James Morrisroe, Assistant to GS Tara McManus, our Industrial Relations Officers, and the members of our Central Executive Committee all began our journey with the GRA at District level and that experience has been invaluable for our careers within An Garda Síochána.

When first elected as a GRA Rep, you sit on the District GRA Committee, which will most likely already contain other experienced members, including a Chairperson and Secretary. District Committees try to resolve issues at District level through their Superintendent. Any unresolved issues then move to Divisional level.

Before hearing from some of these District and Divisional representatives who have been working on your behalf, let’s first take you through the process and procedures involved in becoming a local representative:

The GRA District Committee Election Process (held every 4 years, next in January 2026):

Coming Onboard District Committees

  • First, each member of the Association is issued with a nomination paper

  • Each District is entitled to a District Committee member for every 25 GRA Members (or part thereof)

  • When the number of nominations received are not greater than the allotted District Committee members then those nominees are deemed elected.

  • Where the number of nominations exceed the number allowed – this is decided then by a secret ballot by the members only attached to that District and returned to the Association’s Auditors by a given due date.

  • Each District decides who will represent them to form the Divisional Committee. This is represented of 1 member per 100 members (or part thereof) of District strength.

Completing The Nomination Form

  1. Gardaí who are subscribing members of the Association shall be eligible for election provided they are permanently attached to the GRA District.

  2. A member of the Association may nominate another member of the Association from his/her GRA District.  A member wishing to do so should enter the name of the member he/she wishes to nominate in Section 1 of the nomination form and sign.

  3. It will then be necessary to have another member of the Association from the same District endorse and second that nomination on the same form. 

  4. The member nominated and seconded in the above manner should indicate his/her acceptance of the nomination by completing Section 3 and sign.

  5. It is important to note that to be eligible for inclusion on a ballot paper a nomination form must bear the signature of (1) the nominator, (2) the seconder and (3) the candidate.

  6. Fax/email copies of nomination papers will not be acceptable.

Training:

The GRA is committed to ensuring that all its Representatives, from District level right up to the Secretariat are trained in relevant areas that are needed for a Representative to do their job effectively. The GRA have established a dedicated training unit, which currently consists of 12 tutors to assist with the development and rollout of training. This training unit identify training needs and then create a tailored course around those needs which will be delivered in classroom-based learning. In way of further training, the Tutors also have created an online training platform through Moodle. All training that is delivered to Representatives will then also be available on the Moodle site. As a new Representative you will receive training in the Representative Foundation Course as soon as possible after your election.  In other words, you will never be left on your own.

Elected Representatives are entitled to:

  • Foundation course for Elected Reps Training which is provided by QQI Level 6 trained GRA reps who have undergone a Special Purpose Award in Training and Development and who have specifically developed the course for all elected District and Divisional Reps.

  • Special Leave for Garda Representative Association purposes, Garda code Ch 15.8(3), in the amount of 1.5 days for Elected District Reps and an additional 6 days for Elected Divisional Reps with travel and subsistence allowance which occurs as a result of providing representation.

I realise that this may all seem quite daunting at the beginning, but full training will be provided plus an array of supports made available to make your journey and experience of becoming a GRA Rep a most rewarding one.

Now click on the image below to hear from some of our District and Divisional representatives and tutors who explain what being a Representative has meant to them. 

Video - Why become a representative