Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Hallowe'en is coming and we know every single Halloween there is huge pressure on the fire service, as there has been in Dublin during Covid because they also provide emergency ambulance cover for the city and beyond. People need to remember that we are not just talking about fire appliances. A huge vote of thanks needs to go out to all of those who work in the fire service.

Disaster is staring us in the face. The fire brigade service is not capable, due to a lack of resources, in particular of fire engines and personnel, to deal with a major incident in this city if it happens, given that it also has to deal with many other issues. We heard harrowing tales of people who have to wait for ambulances or fire brigades after car crashes where there is no need for them to have to do so. We also heard of the fire brigade service in this city scrambling around England looking for second-hand obsolete appliances to replace the stock that is collapsing in this city.

As my colleague said, there are times when there are no appliances available. On Monday in my area, Dolphin's Barn, three of the appliances in the station were totally off the road. On another day 30% of the fleet of the whole city was out of action and was not capable of being called out. There is lack of aerial appliances. We know that the fire service is crying out for the HSE to pay Dublin City Council the money it is due so that it can invest properly in the service. Beyond that, a lot more investment needs to happen.

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