Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Ó Broin and Brady for putting this motion forward. It is important and I ask the Government to withdraw its amendment. The fact that it includes the statement that "a high-risk environment" has been created for the public by this action by firefighters is shameful and that needs to be withdrawn. Firefighters have taken this action because of Government inaction.

I want to extend solidarity to firefighters in County Meath in Navan, Trim, Kells, Dunshaughlin, Oldcastle, Nobber and Ashbourne stations, and right across the State. I was happy to stand with firefighters at Kells and Ashbourne stations this morning. We know they do not want to be there. These firefighters include people I went to school with, I played football with and I know in my life, and they include others I have met in recent weeks as they have tried to avoid this scenario. Their dedication is immense and there is a huge mental and physical demand on them. It is dangerous work that not everybody can or will do. There are huge demands on their time, 24-7 and 365 days per year.

The Minister suggested there will be flexibility on the 2.5 km and on days off. I do not know if the Minister has realised that there is a recruitment crisis, and it is not just in conditions but also in pay. We have a scenario where the service cannot recruit. The Minister needs to deal with all of it. There is no point in saying we will deal with A, B, C and D when the service cannot recruit staff. In Ashbourne there was a recruitment process, ten applied and nine of them walked away from it. The service cannot recruit and retain staff and it does not have cover. I met them and they told me they cannot go on honeymoons or leave the area. What is going on is completely unsustainable.

I mention the suggestion from the Government that it is for the WRC and a collective pay agreement. The firefighters voted with their feet tonight and they see exactly what Government is doing. The Government needs to intervene. In what world is a retainer the same as a salary? It simply is not the same. The Government needs to intervene and address this.

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