Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I note in passing that tomorrow is the final day in the ballot for industrial action by staff at the National Ambulance Service. Like the firefighters, they face a crisis in recruitment and retention. The new grades and pay rates agreed in their review need to be implemented now.

On the issue of the Cork city fire services, the mantra from City Hall just is not good enough. Cork City Council has told SIPTU it remains available for talks. What is the point of talks unless there is something to discuss? For more than two years the firefighters and their union representatives have been waiting for Cork City Council to put something on the table that can be discussed. There is no point in having talks about talks. The retained firefighters will keep a close eye on the situation. Real progress needs to be made and there needs to be real pay increases for those workers.

I reiterate this is a health and safety issue for every man, woman and child in Cork. The area has doubled in population and is five times the size of that they previously covered, with fewer resources for the fire service. This is unacceptable and needs to change very quickly. The Taoiseach has not heard the last of this one.

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