Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

While it is almost 10.30 p.m., many fire fighters have waited a very long time for this and I believe we in this House can wait a couple of minutes longer. Many measures which are long overdue are included in this Bill and there are also many reforming measures, but this is a particularly important measure given the fact the great majority of fire services across rural Ireland are provided by retained fire fighters. Up to now, they have effectively been discriminated against because of their willingness to work for and serve their communities and, in many instances, they put their lives on the line for their communities. I am very glad that when this Bill is finally enacted, this will no longer be the case and they will be able to receive unemployment payments for days on which they are not called out and are not in receipt of a call-out fee. This is the very least they can expect for the very valuable service they provide to the State and our communities. On that basis, I greatly welcome the inclusion of section 9 by the Minister.

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