Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

It is not unusual in rural areas for people to live 15 minutes away from a fire station, but it is practically unheard of in built-up urban areas. That is, unless they live in Ballincollig in Cork city, one of the State’s 25 largest population centres. Ballincollig fire station was closed two years ago in November 2021. Since then, Cork city has had its fourth fire pump reinstated, but it is not based in Ballincollig, even during the daytime, which was indicated as a possibility, or even a likelihood, when the pump was put back in place. I would not like to be a resident of Ballincollig trapped in a burning house 15 minutes away from the nearest fire truck. The more than 16,000 residents in the town deserve better. What action does the Government intend to take or will consider taking if Cork City Council continues to refuse to act on this issue?

See this speech in context