Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The members of fire crew KY 18 based at Kenmare fire station are picketing on days on which they are not on call. It is not for me to advise the Government, but must inform it that this matter is going to be sorted one way or another. Why in the name of God would the Government want to discredit itself by not being proactive and saying that retained firefighters deserve to be sorted out? This issue should have been resolved a long time ago. The Government is going to do it anyway, so why not knuckle down now, please? On behalf of the retained firefighters in County Kerry, I am asking the Government to sort out this matter. It will have to be sorted one way or another. Why would the Government delay matters and discredit itself by not being proactive? I am asking in the nicest possible way that it help these great, hardworking men and women. They help us when we need them. That cannot be denied. My shop went on fire one time and I was damn glad to see the members of KY 18 arriving to Kilgarvan to help me as they have done for many others over the years.

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