Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The issue I want to raise is that of part-time retained firefighters. This is affecting all the stations in rural areas outside the main cities. It is a significant problem across Laois-Offaly. Firefighters are leaving and there is difficulty recruiting. The issues are terms and conditions, including rosters. There is a review, which the Taoiseach told me a few months ago would not be concluded until year end. That is too long to wait to deal with this. This is a real problem. There was an emergency meeting of workers on 29 September and they are considering everything up to and including strike action. They are to meet again this week on 7 October to discuss possible strike action. A recent survey showed that 60% of retained part-time firefighters are thinking of leaving the service in the near or not-too-distant future. This is a real problem. The Taoiseach knows it, as I have raised it with him many times. This issue of the retained firefighters has to be dealt with. It is a great service and one of the great successes of our local authority system but we have to deal with it.

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