Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have just been outside the gates with the retained firefighters. I ask the Minister what he proposes to do this week to stop what we are going to see happening next Tuesday. SIPTU has indicated that retained firefighters will begin to resign en masse next week if serious and meaningful engagement with the Government does not happen. Leaving theatrics aside, let us talk about the real experiences of retained firefighters. I refer to the abysmal pay and conditions they put up with when they are putting themselves on the line.

One firefighter spoke to me last week. When everybody else was out enjoying the sun, retained firefighters were sitting in fire stations, on duty and on-call, awaiting a call and keeping our communities across the country safe. They deserve our respect and better pay and conditions. On behalf of these firefighters, I ask the Minister what he proposes to do to engage meaningfully with them to stop what is being proposed will happen next week. Deputy Duncan Smith and Senator Mark Wall of the Labour Party have asked that there be an urgent debate in the Dáil on this issue, given the news that came just this morning of the escalation.

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