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

I inform Deputy Brady that the matter is before the Labour Court. I am not going to go down the road Deputy Brady has blatantly gone, in trying to politicise what is a really important issue. We have seen the Deputy's theatrics here before. This Government has a focused, determined, and deliberative approach. I have met many firefighters all over the country. I commissioned the review. We accepted the recommendations. Pay is core to that. I am hopeful that it will be possible to resolve the situation through the Labour Court, which is the proper way to do this.

I thank the unions and the firefighters themselves for engaging in that process. The 2,000 firefighters right across the country in the retained fire services are incredibly dedicated people. I want their terms and conditions to reflect that and to be enhanced. We will get there. It may disappoint Deputy Brady, because it might remove one of his political campaigns, but this is too important for the workers and for public safety. The engagement at the Labour Court has been very positive. I will await its determination. We will not be found wanting.

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