Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús, I also extend my sympathies to the family of Christy Dignam and his many friends. He transcended music. He was a national treasure. I think I first saw him in Horan's Hotel on a tour in 1986. His talking may now be over but his talent and his crowd will live on.

I raise the disappointment, frustration and frankly the anger felt by retained fire fighters at the Government's handling of the recruitment and retention crisis within the fire service. Last night, Sinn Féin brought a motion to resolve this crisis and many fire fighters travelled to the Dáil to listen to the debate, hopeful that the Minister would see sense. Following his contribution, the Government and the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, received their response when dozens of retained fire fighters stood up and walked out. There is a real feeling that the Minister has opted to condemn the retained fire service with dismissive comments and at this point, it would take an extraordinary gesture to prevent a full-scale strike from next week across the State. Will the Taoiseach review the response last night and the lip service and act immediately to bring an end to the crisis before it is too late?

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