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

Two thirds of the nation's firefighters are now directly involved in an industrial dispute with the Taoiseach's Government. Our 2,000 retained firefighters risk their lives to protect the public. The Taoiseach's Government has chosen to ignore their justified demand for a better core rate of pay. As a result of this choice, these firefighters have been left with little option but to escalate their action today, with the result that 50% of the nation's fire stations are now closed. They are closed on the Taoiseach's watch. I support the firefighters. My clear sense is that a big majority of the public support the firefighters too. Will the Taoiseach address the issue at stake here in a serious way or will he keep his head in the sand and just wait for this dispute to escalate further?

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