Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I was aware of the protests when I visited Cork last week. This is a live issue and, because it is an industrial relations matter, I am limited in what I can say in the House. I understand Cork City Council has invited SIPTU to talks with a view to finding a solution to the dispute and remains available to meet staff representatives. The city council is also engaging with the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, which is the Government office often used to facilitate resolutions to disputes such as this.

The Government stands ready to intervene through the WRC should both sides be willing to do that. We strongly encourage all parties to use the established industrial relations machinery of the State to solve this dispute. I am told negotiations are ongoing with unions and representatives of the retained fire service. It relates to rostering, pay and conditions and recruitment. All of these are on the table. I know the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, is actively involved in this and hopes it can be concluded by the summer.

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