Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have outlined very clearly what has been done, what progress has been made, and what issues are outstanding. Absolutely, the issue of pay remains outstanding. I have given a commitment that I intend for that to be dealt with as part of the public sector pay talks, which start next month. I am not trying to score political points but it is a fact that the Deputy's party leader, when she raised the matter earlier this week, talked about parties re-engaging with the WRC and with the State apparatus that is there to resolve these matters. The Deputy's other colleagues have gone further by seeking exceptions. There is a public sector pay deal there so there are constraints. However, I want to be clear that the requests and the asks of the retained fire service men and women are absolutely reasonable as regards pay and I will advocate for that. I ask them, very respectfully, to re-engage with the WRC. This is resolvable and it is resolvable in everyone's interests. Let us not forget that I commissioned the retained fire services report. That gives us a roadmap of 13 recommendations for the sector.

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