The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) say they are disappointed the Justice Minister cannot attend their conference next week.

The AGSI represents 2,000 members in 31 branches nationwide.

The body has been told by Department of Justice officials that Alan Shatter cannot make the event his year because he will be marking Passover, and he has a meeting in Luxembourg the following day.

The refusal by Minister Shatter to accept the AGSI invitation comes amid a downturn in his relationship with the force over the garda tapes and GSOC controversies.

General-Secretary of the AGSI is John Redmond.