Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Murnane O'Connor for raising the matter so passionately. I agree wholeheartedly with her that these are people who have found a vocation in the work they do and they love their work on a daily basis. They face huge risk in that work and it is noted. The Government has noted the contents of Retained Fire Services in Ireland - A Review of Recruitment and Retention and the Future Sustainability of Service Delivery. It contains 13 key recommendations and was published in December 2022. I have spoken to my colleague the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, about it.

Following the publication of the report, management and employee representatives engaged in a process on the recommendations which was facilitated by an independent party. This process broke down on 10 May, as Deputy Murnane O'Connor is aware, with the staff side withdrawing from the process. Members of the retained fire service have since balloted in favour of industrial action. Formal notice of the action was served on 22 May, setting out three weeks of escalating action starting with a work to rule on 6 June. In this instance SIPTU has not adhered to the agreed dispute resolution process set out in Building Momentum.

Deputy Murnane O'Connor is correct that the dispute is primarily with regard to pay. The requirements set out under the code of practice on disputes procedures, including essential services to ensure the health and safety of the public and firefighters, has been noted by SIPTU. Parties are engaging at local level to put in place the necessary arrangements and efforts are ongoing to resolve this in line with the agreed process. On behalf of the Government I urge all parties to engage in a positive way to try to resolve this and stave away the necessity for formal action. I appreciate how challenging this is for all parties involved.

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