Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will give the Minister and the Minister of State the live messages that are coming in. One message states, "The crews are more angry now after listening to this crap." Another states, "This Government has just given the middle finger to all firefighters and their families tonight." Another states, "I am now four years living in a van because I cannot get a mortgage or even find a place to rent." These are all live messages I am getting.

Retained firefighters are first responders. They do one of the most mentally and physically taxing jobs in the country, but I also want to make a point about the bravery of stationmasters, and I will quote from a report by Cork Beo last week as follows:

'I want people to understand the sacrifices we make' - Cork firefighter speaks out ahead of strikes

"What’s it going to take? For somebody to lose their life before they realize changes need to be made?"

On Christmas Day, Midleton Fire Station Officer Mark Sinclair sat down with his family. As his mother tried to ask if he was on call, she couldn't get the words out of her mouth before his pager went off and Mark had to rush down to the station, suit up and save lives.

Moments like that are just one example of the sacrifices fire service members have to make every day. It's a job that requires a commitment like no other, where only those truly passionate about helping their community stay for the long haul.

In the article Mark went on to say that the firefighters must live within 2.5 km of the station so they can respond to calls quickly. He went on to say:

During Covid and the lockdowns, what radius were you allowed to travel in? 5km? We have to live and work within half of that.

I ask the Minister and the Minister of State to withdraw their amendment. There has been too much talk in here. These people do an indescribable job. They turn up at the worst things ever because they are first on the scene. I have dealt with them over the years like everybody else has, including in cases of suicide. I can go back to my brother's suicide in 2002 and I asked the firefighters and a bangharda that night if they get counselling for this and they told me they do not. You can imagine the firefighter coming in and that being the first thing they see on the scene.

We have so disrespected the people who we really depend on during crises. I appeal to this Government, for once let us all do the right thing in this House. There is a very angry group simmering and bubbling up outside this House and the Government will suffer for it so I ask the Minister and the Minister of State to do the right thing. Support our motion and withdraw the Government amendment.

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