Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Murphy for raising it. I have been around long enough to know that disputes are generally resolved by engagement and consultation so I would encourage everybody to engage intensively with Dublin Fire Brigade, which does an incredible public service, and indeed with the ambulance service. I know that from quite a while back, in my memory, these issues with ambulance and fire brigade provision in the city of Dublin have caused points of friction at times in industrial relations. I really urge the State side and the union sides to engage to try to find a way forward. The use of technology is always a good thing, but I take the point about the particular situation in Dublin with a fire brigade service and an ambulance service and the need for alignment. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Browne, whose Department has responsibility, to come back to the Deputy on it.

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