Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is absolutely different and no comparison can be made between our emergency response teams, whether firefighters, ambulance personnel or gardaí, and other public sector workers. It is unfair to do so because they are our first line of protection when required.

I ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to intervene. There is no trade union to represent gardaí, although they have their representative bodies. Low-paid firefighters were dealt with heretofore, but the demands of gardaí have not been met or dealt with. We cannot have a trade-off or a stand-off going into November, before Christmas, when the dark nights of winter are approaching and elderly people are frightened in their homes due to this situation. It is imperative for Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to deal with this issue. Will the Leader to facilitate a debate in the House with the Tánaiste on this matter next week or the week after, if possible?